TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

UNION GROVE 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 Union Grove Independent School District (UGISD). A
total of 289 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 17 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 272.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-three percent of Union Grove ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 33* percent said they had used tobacco
during the past month (Fig. 2).2

•Seventeen* percent of Union Grove ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily
basis, while 1 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily
basis.

•Seventy-two percent of Union Grove ISD students said they had used alcohol at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 37 percent reported using alcohol during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•Nine percent of Union Grove ISD students reported attending at least one class during
the past year while "drunk," and 20 percent of district 9th through 12th grade

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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 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 25 percent of Union Grove ISD students
(Fig. 1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 6 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-six percent of Union Grove ISD students reported using marijuana at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 14 percent said they had used marijuana
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Union Grove ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (76 percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school,
such as a teacher or nurse (28 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 Union Grove ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Sixty-three percent of Union Grove students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). 4 Thirty-three* percent of
Union Grove ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, a rate
higher than that reported by students statewide (24 percent) (Fig. 2).

Sixty percent of Union Grove students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 52 percent of their peers statewide. Thirty-two* percent of UGISD
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 17* percent of district students (7 percent statewide), and 36* percent of UGISD
students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide), rates
higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 26* percent of UGISD students, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (17 percent). Seven percent of
Union Grove 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 1
percent of district students (2 percent statewide), and 4 percent said most or all of their close
friends use smokeless tobacco (5 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.

4 Due to the small number of students surveyed in this district, no between-grade comparisons can be made.

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Alcohol

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

Seventy-two percent of Union Grove students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Thirty-seven percent of Union Grove ISD
students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Union Grove students are wine coolers (58
percent/61 percent statewide) and beer (55 percent/59 percent statewide). Thirty-seven percent
of UGISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide),
and 35 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 47
percent of UGISD students (41 percent statewide), while 25 percent said they usually drink five
or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide). Forty-two
percent of Union Grove ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during the
past year (39 percent statewide), while 25 percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a
time on average when they drink (20 percent statewide).

Nine percent of Union Grove students reported attending at least one class during the past
school year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Twenty percent of UGISD 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). 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-one percent of Union Grove ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or
liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Forty-five percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide),
and 40 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 UGISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-five percent of Union Grove students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Forty percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or
always (44 percent statewide). Thirteen* percent of UGISD students said they get alcohol

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"from the store" most of the time or always, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by
students statewide (21 percent).

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 UGISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (22 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (40 percent/47 percent
statewide). Seventy-five* 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, a rate
somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (65 percent). By contrast,
only 18* percent of district students who had not experienced difficulties with school officials
because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days, a rate somewhat lower
than that reported by their peers statewide (26 percent).

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, 76 percent of Union Grove
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 14 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11
percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants5

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, Union Grove ISD students
are using inhalants at rates somewhat higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Twenty-five percent of Union Grove students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 19 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Six percent of Union Grove
ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Three percent of UGISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
percent statewide), and 6 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school
year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Sixteen percent of UGISD 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 Union Grove students was correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (16* percent/10 percent statewide). Eleven* percent of UGISD students
5 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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reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide), 10 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray
paint (7 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 7 percent
said they had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent statewide), and 7 percent reported inhaling
substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide) at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 7).

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 Union Grove ISD, 29 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 22 percent of UGISD students said they had used
one or more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates similar to those
reported by their peers 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.
Union Grove students reported average usage rates of 2.3 times in the past month and 5.7 times
during their lifetimes.

Twenty-six percent of UGISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
a rate similar to that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month marijuana
use was reported by 14 percent of Union Grove ISD students (12 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Nine percent of UGISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 13 percent of Union Grove ISD 9th through
12th grade students (8 percent statewide).

Forty-nine percent of UGISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 17 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide). Four 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). Sixteen
percent of the Union Grove 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).

Fewer Union Grove ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (2 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (19 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, 38 percent of district

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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, Union Grove students reported a
disapproval rate of 92 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 Union Grove ISD students
(13* percent/7 percent statewide). Nine percent of UGISD students reported using downers (5
percent statewide), 7 percent said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 5 percent
said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), 5 percent reported using crack (2
percent statewide), 2 percent reported using ecstasy (3 percent statewide), and none said they
had used steroids (2 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
Union Grove ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have smoked marijuana than
were district female students. However, Union Grove female students were somewhat more
likely to have used uppers than were their male counterparts, and UGISD female students were
the only reported users of steroids in the district. There were no other significant differences by
gender among UGISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, 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. UGISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have smoked marijuana and nearly twice as likely to have used
inhalants or hallucinogens than were those district students living in homes with two parents.
There were no other significant differences by living arrangement among Union Grove ISD
students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Union Grove students said they would seek help from their friends (76 percent/74
percent statewide). Sixty percent of UGISD students said they would seek help from an adult
friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 56 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 (28 percent/33 percent statewide), or a medical doctor (29*
percent/38 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 4 percent of Union
Grove 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-one percent of Union Grove ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, compared to 79 percent of
students statewide. Forty-eight percent of UGISD students reported getting information about
drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (46 percent statewide). Twenty-six* percent of district
students said "an invited school guest" was a source for information about drugs and alcohol (46
percent statewide), and "an assembly program" was reported by 22* percent of district students
as a source for this information (53 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their
peers statewide.

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Eighty-nine percent of Union Grove students believe that crack use is
"very dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 89 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is
"very dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-eight percent of UGISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 70 percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol
and tobacco use is lower. Only 52 percent of UGISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to
use alcohol (46 percent statewide), and 39 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous"
(41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).