TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

NEDERLAND ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1995, the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, in conjunction with
the Public Policy Research Institute at Texas A&M University, administered a survey to
students in grades 7 through 12 in the Nederland Independent School District (NISD). A total
of 2150 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 82 surveys were excluded from analysis because students
did not indicate their grade or age, or because they were identified as exaggerators (i.e., claimed
to have used a non-existent drug or reported overly excessive drug use). The final number of
surveys included in the overall district analysis was 2068.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-nine* percent of Nederland ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 34* percent said they had used tobacco
during the past month (Fig. 2).2

•Nine* percent of Nederland ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while 5* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Seventy-three percent of Nederland ISD students said they had used alcohol at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 43* percent reported using alcohol
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Eight percent of Nederland ISD students reported attending at least one class during the
past year while "drunk," and 20* percent of district 9th through 12th grade
students said they had driven a car at least once during the past year after having
"a good bit to drink."

1 The percentages referred to in the executive summary were taken from the tables found in "Part I: District
Survey Results." Due to the differences in rounding procedures, there may be slight discrepancies between the
percentages referred to in the tables and those reflected in the executive summary and in the corresponding
figures. Figures referenced throughout this report are included in "Part III: Executive Summary."

2 Data in this report marked with an asterisk are estimated to be statistically significant at the .01 level from
the comparable data for the state as a whole. This means that in only one of a hundred samples would a
difference this large have occurred when there was no difference between the district and state data. Differences
in very small districts will seldom be statistically significant due to the small number of cases. Differences that
are not marked may be important, but should be treated with more caution than those that are statistically
significant.

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•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 22* percent of Nederland ISD students (Fig.
1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 6 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-eight* percent of Nederland ISD students reported using marijuana at least

once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 15* percent said they had used
marijuana during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Nederland ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (81* percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school,
such as a teacher or nurse (24* percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Between 1992 and 1994, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless
products) among students statewide stayed much the same. 3 Overall, the general use of tobacco
products among Nederland ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Fifty-nine* percent of Nederland students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime general tobacco use was lowest among
district 7th graders (44 percent/40 percent statewide) and highest among NISD 12th graders (68
percent/63 percent statewide). Sixty-nine* percent of district 10th grade students reported
lifetime use of a tobacco product, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 10th grade
students statewide (60 percent).

Thirty-four* percent of Nederland ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month, compared to 24 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). The rates of past-month
general tobacco use ranged from 23* percent among NISD 7th grade students (16 percent
statewide) to 39* percent among district 10th grade students (27 percent statewide) and 39*
percent among Nederland 12th grade students (31 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher
than those reported by their peers statewide.

Fifty-five percent of Nederland students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide). Twenty-nine* percent of district students said they had
smoked cigarettes during the past month, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students
statewide (22 percent). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 9* percent of
district students (7 percent statewide), and 20 percent of NISD students said most or all of their
close friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

3 Statewide data is collected every other year. The statewide data used for comparison purposes in the district
report and executive summary is taken from the results of the survey administered in 1994.

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Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 28* percent of NISD students (17
percent statewide), while 14* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during
the past month (6 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by students
statewide. Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 5* percent of
district students (2 percent statewide), and 13* percent said most or all of their close friends use
smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide).

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Nederland ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar in 1994 to that reported in 1992.
Overall, Nederland ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat similar to those
reported by their peers statewide.

Seventy-three percent of Nederland students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was lowest among NISD
7th graders (60 percent/58 percent statewide) and highest among district 12th graders (86
percent/86 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Forty-three* percent of Nederland ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was lowest among NISD 7th
graders (28 percent/24 percent statewide). The highest rate of past-month alcohol consumption
was reported among district 12th graders (65* percent), a rate higher than that reported by 12th
graders statewide (52 percent) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Nederland students are wine coolers (63
percent/61 percent statewide) and beer (58 percent/59 percent statewide). Thirty-eight percent
of NISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and
33 percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (34 percent statewide).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 42
percent of NISD students (41 percent statewide), while 17* percent said they usually drink five
or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide). Forty
percent of Nederland ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during the past
year (39 percent statewide), while 21 percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a
time on average when they drink (20 percent statewide).

Eight percent of Nederland students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). The rates of attending class while intoxicated ranged
from 5* percent among NISD 12th graders (10 percent statewide) to 10 percent among district
8th graders (10 percent statewide) and 10 percent among Nederland 11th graders (10 percent
statewide) (Figs. 9a and 9b).

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Twenty* percent of NISD 9th through 12th grade students said that they had driven a car after
having "a good bit to drink" at least once during the past year (15 percent statewide). The
highest rate of driving while intoxicated was reported by Nederland 12th graders (35* percent),
a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 12th graders statewide (26 percent). Driving
while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 5 percent of district
9th through 12th graders (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Eighty-two* percent of Nederland ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Forty-one percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide), and 44*
percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (40 percent statewide). "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own
drinking was reported by 12* percent of NISD students (10 percent statewide).

Forty-three* percent of Nederland students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide). The highest rates of alcohol use at
most or all parties was reported by NISD 12th graders (71* percent/62 percent statewide) and
Nederland 10th graders (64* percent/52 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by
their counterparts statewide (Figs. 12a and 12b). Forty-three percent of district students
responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (44
percent statewide), while 18* percent of NISD students said they get alcohol "from the store"
most of the time or always (21 percent statewide).

Students were asked how many days during the school year they were absent from class due to
an illness or for some other reason, and how many days they had gotten into trouble because of
conduct or attitude problems. Fewer NISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (30* percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (49 percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-eight* percent of the district students who had experienced difficulties with
school officials on four or more days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days (65 percent
statewide). By contrast, only 31* percent of district students who had not experienced
difficulties with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past
30 days (26 percent statewide).

Parental attitudes can be a major factor in whether or not a student uses alcohol or drugs. When
asked how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer, 78* percent of Nederland
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Six* percent of
district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer
(10 percent statewide), and 11 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11
percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

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Inhalants4

In general, inhalants are common, licit substances (paints, thinners, correction fluid, glue, etc.)
which, when sniffed, huffed, or inhaled, produce an intoxicating effect. Between 1992 and
1994, use of inhalants among students statewide decreased. Overall, Nederland ISD students
are using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Twenty-two* percent of Nederland students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was highest among district 8th
grade students (30 percent/24 percent statewide) and lowest among NISD 12th grade students
(12 percent/15 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Six percent of Nederland ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of past-month inhalant use ranged from 1 percent among
district 11th grade students (2 percent statewide) to 11* percent among NISD 7th grade students
(7 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Two percent of NISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
percent statewide), and 4 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school
year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Fifteen* percent of NISD students said
they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12
percent statewide).

The inhalant substance most frequently used by Nederland students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (11 percent/10 percent statewide). Ten* percent of district students reported inhaling
gasoline (6 percent statewide), 10* percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent
statewide), and 10* percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8
percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Figs. 7a and 7b).

Illicit Drugs

Illicit drugs are defined as controlled substances and include marijuana, cocaine (powdered
form and crack), uppers (stimulants), downers (narcotics), hallucinogens, and ecstasy. Between
1992 and 1994, the use of illicit drugs among students statewide increased. The use of
marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, also increased among students statewide
between those years.
4 Data in this report marked with an asterisk are estimated to be statistically significant at the .01 level from
the comparable data for the state as a whole. This means that in only one of a hundred samples would a
difference this large have occurred when there was no difference between the district and state data. Differences
in very small districts will seldom be statistically significant due to the small number of cases. Differences that
are not marked may be important, but should be treated with more caution than those that are statistically
significant.

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In the Nederland ISD, 31* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 23* percent of NISD students said they had used
one or more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide). Statewide, students
who said they had used illicit drugs reported using them an average of 1.4 times in the past 30
days and 4.2 times during their lives. Nederland students reported average usage rates of 1.8
times in the past month and 5.8 times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-eight* percent of NISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their
lifetimes, a rate similar to that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). The rates of
lifetime marijuana use ranged from 16 percent among Nederland 7th graders (13 percent
statewide) to 37 percent among district 12th graders (34 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 15* percent of Nederland ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of past-month marijuana use ranged from 8 percent among
Nederland 7th graders (6 percent statewide) to 18 percent among district 9th graders (14 percent
statewide) and 18 percent among NISD 12th graders (14 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Ten percent of NISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide). The rates of attending class while stoned ranged
from 7 percent among Nederland 7th graders (6 percent statewide) and 7 percent among district
12th graders (9 percent statewide) to 14 percent among NISD 11th graders (10 percent
statewide) (Figs. 10a and 10b).

Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 11*
percent of Nederland ISD 9th through 12th grade students (8 percent statewide). Driving under
the influence of drugs was highest among NISD 11th graders (19* percent), a rate somewhat
higher than that reported by 11th graders statewide (10 percent).

Fifty-two* percent of NISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 15 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide). Seven* percent of district students said they had gotten into "difficulties of
any kind" with their friends because of their own drug use (5 percent statewide).

Twenty* percent of the Nederland ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were
used at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (17 percent statewide).
Marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all parties was reported by 30 percent of district 11th
graders (25 percent statewide).

Fewer Nederland ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (6 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (19 percent/15 percent statewide). Five
percent of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (4 percent statewide). By contrast, 42* percent of district
students who had gotten into trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using

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marijuana during the past 30 days, a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (31
percent).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Nederland students reported a
disapproval rate of 91* percent (87 percent statewide). Four* percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent
statewide), while 3 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Nederland ISD students (14*
percent), compared to 7 percent of students statewide. Nine* percent of NISD students said
they had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 9* percent reported using downers (5 percent
statewide), and 6* percent reported using ecstasy (3 percent statewide) at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were less likely to have used drugs than were male students. In the
Nederland ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used an inhalant or smoked
marijuana than were district female students. There were no other significant differences by
gender among NISD students with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol, or other illicit
substances.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. NISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco product or powdered cocaine, nearly twice as
likely to have used an inhalant or uppers, over two times more likely to have used marijuana,
hallucinogens, or downers, and over three times more likely to have used ecstasy than were
those district students living in homes with two parents. There were no other significant
differences by living arrangement among Nederland ISD students with regard to the use of
alcohol, crack, or steroids.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Nederland students said they would seek help from their friends (81* percent), a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (74 percent). Fifty-eight percent
of NISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend or relative (57 percent
statewide), and 53 percent said they would turn to their parents (54 percent statewide). District
students are least likely to seek help from another adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse
(24* percent/33 percent statewide), or a counselor or program in school (27* percent/35 percent
statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their peers statewide (Fig. 17). Since
school began in the Fall, 5 percent of Nederland students reported seeking help for any
problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7
percent statewide).

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Seventy-four* percent of Nederland ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (79 percent statewide). Forty-
four percent of NISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a
"health class" (46 percent statewide). "An assembly program" was reported by 42* percent of
district students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide),
while 35* percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (46 percent
statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide.

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-two percent of Nederland students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 91 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy* percent of NISD students believe that inhalant use
is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 64* percent believe that marijuana use is "very
dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco
use is lower. Only 38* percent of NISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol
(46 percent statewide), while 28* percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (41
percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by students statewide (Fig. 13).