TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

RIO VISTA ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1996, 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 Rio Vista Independent School District (RVISD). A total of 230
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 12 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 218.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

• Forty-nine percent of Rio Vista ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 22 percent said they had used tobacco during
the past month (Fig. 2).

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

• Sixty-seven percent of Rio Vista ISD students said they had used alcohol at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 22* percent reported using alcohol during
the past month (Fig. 2).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."

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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• Eight percent of Rio Vista ISD 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" (Fig.
11).

• Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 18 percent of district students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 5 percent (Fig. 2).

• Sixteen* percent of Rio Vista ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 6* percent said they had used marijuana during
the past month (Fig. 2).

• Rio Vista ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (75 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor outside of
school (35 percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless products)
among students statewide has increased slightly.3 Overall, the general use of tobacco products
among Rio Vista ISD students, especially with regard to cigarettes, is somewhat lower than that
reported by their counterparts statewide. However, RVISD students are using smokeless
tobacco products at rates somewhat higher than those reported by their peers statewide.

Forty-nine percent of Rio Vista students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).4 Twenty-two percent of Rio Vista ISD students said
they had used a tobacco product during the past month (26 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Forty-four percent of Rio Vista students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (53 percent), and 18 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month (25
percent statewide); rates somewhat lower than those reported by students statewide. Smoking
cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 9 percent of district students (8 percent statewide).
Thirteen* percent of Rio Vista ISD students said most or all of their close friends smoke
cigarettes, compared to 21 percent of students statewide.

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 28* percent of RVISD students,
nearly twice the rate reported by their peers statewide (16 percent). Ten percent of district
students said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month (5 percent
statewide), and 5 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis (1 percent
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 the Spring of 1996.

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

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statewide); rates somewhat higher than those reported by students statewide. Sixteen* percent
of Rio Vista students said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco, triple the rate
reported by students statewide (5 percent).

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Rio Vista ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two
years ago. Overall, Rio Vista ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat lower than
those reported by their peers statewide.

Sixty-seven percent of Rio Vista students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Twenty-two* percent of Rio Vista ISD students said
they had consumed alcohol during the past month, a rate lower than that reported by students
statewide (38 percent) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Rio Vista students are beer (55 percent/56
percent statewide) and wine coolers (52 percent/58 percent statewide). Twenty-three* percent
of RVISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (33 percent statewide), and
18* percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (31 percent statewide); rates 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-five percent of Rio Vista ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (37 percent statewide), while 18 percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent
statewide). Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 35 percent of RVISD
students (40 percent statewide), and 16 percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers
at a time on average when they drink (18 percent statewide).

Eight percent of Rio Vista students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Eight percent of RVISD 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) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at parties.
Seventy-two percent of Rio Vista ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide). Twenty-eight percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (37 percent statewide), and 29*
percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (39 percent statewide); rates lower than those reported by students statewide.
"Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported by 9 percent of
RVISD students (9 percent statewide).

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Thirty-seven percent of Rio Vista students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide) (Fig. 13). Thirty-three percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or
always, compared to 43 percent of students statewide. Eleven percent of RVISD students said
they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (17 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 district students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month than did district students who said they had
missed four or more days of school. Sixteen percent of the RVISD students who had not been
absent since the Fall reported having used alcohol during the past month (25 percent statewide),
and 26 percent of district students who said they had missed four or more days of school
reported having used alcohol during the past month (44 percent statewide). Forty-four percent
of the Rio Vista students who had experienced difficulties with school officials on four or more
days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days (62 percent statewide). By contrast, only 12
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 lower than that reported by
students statewide (25 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, 77 percent of Rio Vista students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Seven percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9
percent statewide), and 8 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (10 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. Over the last two years,
use of inhalants among students statewide has stayed about the same. Overall, Rio Vista ISD
students are using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Eighteen percent of Rio Vista students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes
(20 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Five percent of Rio Vista ISD students said they had used
inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).
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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One percent of RVISD 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 (4 percent statewide). Twelve percent of RVISD 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 Rio Vista students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (11 percent/9 percent statewide). Nine percent of district students reported inhaling
gasoline (5 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent
statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled glue (5 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had
inhaled paint thinner (5 percent statewide), 4 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other
inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), and 2 percent reported inhaling substances in the
"other sprays" category (4 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. Over the last
two years, the use of illicit drugs among students statewide has increased. The use of marijuana,
the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased among students statewide over the
last two years.

In the Rio Vista ISD, 18* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 14* percent of RVISD students said they had used
one or more illicit substances three or more times (25 percent statewide); rates lower than those
reported by students statewide. Statewide, students who said they had used illicit drugs reported
using them an average of 2.2 times in the past 30 days and 6.4 times during their lives. Rio Vista
students reported average usage rates of 0.9 times in the past month and 4.2 times during their
lifetimes.

Sixteen* percent of RVISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month
marijuana use was reported by 6* percent of Rio Vista ISD students, less than half the rate
reported by students statewide (16 percent) (Fig. 2).

Five* percent of RVISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (13 percent) (Fig.
10). Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 4*
percent of Rio Vista ISD 9th through 12th grade students, a third of the rate reported by 9th
through 12th grade students statewide (12 percent).

Thirty* percent of RVISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53
percent statewide), and 6* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (21

5
percent statewide); rates lower than those reported by students statewide. Five percent of
district students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of
their own drug use (6 percent statewide). Nine* percent of the Rio Vista ISD students said that
marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the
school year, in contrast to the 23 percent reported by their peers statewide.

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Rio Vista students reported a
disapproval rate of 89 percent (85 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 5 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a smaller number of Rio Vista ISD students. Ten percent of
RVISD students reported using uppers (8 percent statewide), 7 percent reported using downers
(6 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had used hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 4 percent
reported using ecstasy (5 percent statewide), 3 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (7
percent statewide), 1 percent reported using crack (3 percent statewide), and 1 percent 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 somewhat less likely to have used drugs than were male
students. In the Rio Vista ISD, however, female students were somewhat more likely to have
smoked marijuana and more than three times more likely to have used ecstasy than were district
male students. In addition, RVISD female students were the only reported users of crack in the
district. On the other hand, Rio Vista male students were the only reported users of steroids in
the district. There were no other significant differences by gender among RVISD students with
regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, 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. RVISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco product or smoked marijuana, over twice as likely
to have used hallucinogens, and more than three times more likely to have used powdered
cocaine or ecstasy than were those district students living in homes with two parents. In
addition, Rio Vista students living in other family situations were the only reported users of crack
in the district. On the other hand, RVISD students living in two-parent homes were the only
reported users of steroids in the district. There were no other significant differences by living
situation among RVISD students with regard to the used of alcohol, inhalants, uppers, or
downers.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Rio Vista students said they would seek help from their friends (75 percent/74 percent
statewide). Sixty-three percent of district students said they would turn to their parents, a rate

6
somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (54 percent). Sixty-one
percent of RVISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend or relative (58 percent
statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or program outside of
school (35 percent/42 percent statewide). Since school began in the Fall, 6 percent of Rio Vista
students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from
someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Eighty-five* percent of Rio Vista ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, a rate higher than that reported by
students statewide (75 percent). "An assembly program" was reported by 82* percent of district
students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 62*
percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (38 percent statewide);
rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Fifty-two percent of RVISD 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 Rio Vista students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 88 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Eighty-three percent of RVISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (70 percent statewide), and 76* percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (60 percent statewide); rates higher than those reported by their peers
statewide. By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Forty-eight
percent of RVISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44 percent statewide).
Only 33 percent of district students believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (39 percent)
(Fig. 13).