TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

ROCKWALL 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 Rockwall Independent School District (RISD). A total of
2148 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 100 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 2048.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-seven percent of Rockwall ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 30 percent said they had used tobacco during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•Eleven percent of Rockwall ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while 2 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Seventy-one percent of Rockwall ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 35 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Eight percent of RISD students reported attending at least one class during the past
year while "drunk," and 14 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."

•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 22 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 5 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-four percent of RISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 12 percent said they had used marijuana during the
past month (Fig. 2).
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."

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•Rockwall ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (82 percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school, such as a
nurse or teacher (22 percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Between 1992 and 1994, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless
products) among students statewide has stayed much the same.2 Overall, the general use of
tobacco products among Rockwall ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Fifty-seven percent of Rockwall 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 (40 percent/40 percent statewide). The highest rates of lifetime use of a
tobacco product were among RISD 11th graders (67 percent/61 percent statewide) and district
10th graders (68 percent/60 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by
11th and 10th graders statewide.

Thirty percent of Rockwall ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past
month, compared to 24 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco use
was lowest among RISD 7th grade students (15 percent/16 percent statewide). The rates of
past-month use of a tobacco product were highest among district 12th graders (40 percent/31
percent statewide) and RISD 10th graders (41 percent/27 percent statewide), rates higher than
those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Fifty-two percent of Rockwall students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 27 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (22 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 11 percent
of district students (7 percent statewide). Daily cigarette use was highest among Rockwall ISD
12th graders (21 percent), a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 12th graders statewide
(12 percent). Twenty-two percent of RISD students said most or all of their close friends
smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 24 percent of RISD students,
compared to 17 percent of students statewide. Eight percent of district students said they had
used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month (6 percent statewide). Using a
smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 2 percent of district students (2
percent statewide), and 7 percent said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco (5
percent statewide).

2 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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Alcohol

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

Seventy-one percent of Rockwall students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime alcohol use ranged from 58
percent among RISD 7th graders (58 percent statewide) to 82 percent among district 11th
graders (83 percent statewide). Seventy-six percent of RISD 12th grade students reported
lifetime alcohol use, a rate lower than that reported by 12th grade students statewide (86
percent) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-five percent of Rockwall ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of past-month alcohol use ranged from 20
percent among RISD 7th graders (24 percent statewide) to 50 percent among district 12th
graders (52 percent statewide). Thirty-seven percent of RISD 7th grade students reported
consuming alcohol during the past month, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 10th
grade students statewide (45 percent) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Rockwall students are beer (57 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (56 percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty percent of RISD
students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and 25
percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (34 percent statewide), rates somewhat
lower than those reported by students statewide.

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Thirty-six percent of Rockwall ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 18 percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (20 percent
statewide). Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 36 percent of RISD
students (41 percent statewide), while 16 percent said they usually drink five or more wine
coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Eight percent of Rockwall 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 RISD 7th graders (7 percent statewide) to 10 percent among district 8th
graders (10 percent statewide) (Figs. 9a and 9b).

Fourteen percent of RISD 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 Rockwall 12th graders (23 percent/26

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percent statewide). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was
reported by 3 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 Rockwall ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Thirty-two percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide),
and 35 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 8 percent of RISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-three percent of Rockwall students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students
statewide (39 percent). The highest rate of alcohol use at most or all parties was reported by
RISD 12th graders (57 percent/62 percent statewide) (Figs. 12a and 12b). Thirty-six percent of
district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time
or always (44 percent statewide), while 15 percent of RISD students said they get alcohol "from
the store" most of the time or always (21 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those
reported by students 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 RISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (24 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (41 percent/47 percent
statewide). Fifty-nine 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 23 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 Rockwall 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).

Inhalants3

3 Lifetime and current inhalant use figures have been adjusted to reflect reported use of both specific inhalants
and inhalant use generally. Some students responded positive to specific use without responding positive to
generic use. Some students responded positive to generic use but not specific inhalants.

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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, Rockwall ISD students are
using inhalants at rates somewhat similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Twenty-two percent of Rockwall students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime inhalant use ranged from 19
percent among district 11th grade students (14 percent statewide) to 27 percent among RISD
7th grade students (20 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Six percent of Rockwall 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 2 percent among
district 12th grade students (2 percent statewide) to 10 percent among RISD 8th grade students
(8 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Two percent of RISD 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). Thirteen percent of RISD 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 Rockwall students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (10 percent/10 percent statewide). Nine percent of district students reported using
substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 8 percent said they had
inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 7 percent reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide),
and 7 percent said they had inhaled poppers (3 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
over that two-year period.

In the Rockwall ISD, 28 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 21 percent of RISD 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. Rockwall students reported average usage rates of 1.8 times in
the past month and 5.3 times during their lifetimes.

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Twenty-four percent of RISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
a rate similar to that reported by students statewide (25 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime
marijuana use was lowest among Rockwall 7th graders (8 percent/13 percent) and highest
among district 12th graders (39 percent/34 percent statewide). Lifetime marijuana use was
reported by 14 percent of RISD 8th graders (21 percent statewide) and 22 percent of district 9th
graders (28 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their peers
statewide (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 12 percent of Rockwall ISD students, the same rate
reported by students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month marijuana use was lowest among Rockwall
7th graders (2 percent/6 percent statewide) and highest among RISD 12th graders (20
percent/14 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Nine percent of RISD 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 3 percent among Rockwall 7th graders (6 percent statewide) to 14 percent among district
12th graders (9 percent statewide) (Figs. 10a and 10b).

Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 12
percent of Rockwall ISD 9th through 12th grade students (8 percent statewide). Driving under
the influence of drugs was highest among RISD 12th graders (20 percent), a rate somewhat
higher than that reported by 12th graders statewide (12 percent).

Fifty-one percent of RISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 12 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).

Seventeen percent of the Rockwall 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).
Thirty-three percent of district 12th graders reported marijuana and/or other drug use at most or
all parties, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 12th graders statewide (24 percent).

Fewer Rockwall ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (4 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (16 percent/15 percent statewide). Four
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, 31 percent of district
students who had gotten into trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using
marijuana during the past 30 days (31 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Rockwall students reported a
disapproval rate of 91 percent (87 percent statewide). Five percent of district students said they
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent statewide),

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while 3 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig.
15).

Hallucinogens (11 percent/6 percent statewide) and uppers (10 percent/7 percent statewide) are
the next most frequently used illicit substances among Rockwall ISD students. Seven percent
of district students reported using downers (5 percent statewide), 7 percent reported using
ecstasy (3 percent statewide), and 5 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5 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
Rockwall ISD, there were no significant differences by gender with regard to the use of tobacco
or alcohol products, inhalants, marijuana, 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. RISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have smoked marijuana than were those district students living in
homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement
among Rockwall ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco or alcohol products, inhalants,
or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Rockwall students said they would seek help from their friends (82 percent),
compared to 74 percent of students statewide. Fifty-six percent of RISD students said they
would seek help from an adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 55 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 (22 percent/33 percent statewide), or a
counselor or program in school (24 percent/35 percent statewide), rates lower than those
reported by students statewide (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 5 percent of Rockwall
students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from
someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Sixty-eight percent of Rockwall ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, a rate lower than that reported by
students statewide (79 percent). "An assembly program" was reported by 43 percent of district
students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide), while 30
percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (46 percent statewide).
Twenty-eight percent of RISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol
from a "health class" (46 percent statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-one percent of Rockwall students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 88 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very

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dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Sixty-nine percent of RISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 61 percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (67 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by students
statewide. By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 38
percent of RISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (46 percent statewide),
while 27 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (41 percent statewide), rates
lower than those reported by students statewide (Fig. 13).