TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

AUSTIN ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1994, 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 Austin Independent School District (AISD). A total of
4485 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 252 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 4233.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-eight* percent of Austin ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1),2 and 25 percent said they had used tobacco during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Eight percent of AISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 1
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Seventy-seven* percent of Austin ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 40 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Ten percent of AISD students reported attending at least one class during the past year
while "drunk," and 14 percent of district 9th through 12th grade students said

1 The percentages referred to in the executive summary were taken from the tables found in "Part I: Austin
ISD." 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 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 one 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.

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

•Thirty-five* percent of AISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 17* percent said they had used marijuana during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Austin ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (77* percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school, such as
a teacher or nurse (30* percent), or a counselor or program in school (32*
percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless
products) among students statewide has stayed much the same. Overall, the general use of
tobacco products among Austin ISD students is similar to that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Fifty-eight* percent of Austin students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (55 percent) (Fig.
1). Lifetime general tobacco use was highest among district 12th graders (67 percent/63
percent statewide) and AISD 11th graders (66 percent/61 percent statewide). The lowest rate of
lifetime tobacco use was reported by Austin 7th graders (43 percent/40 percent statewide).

Twenty-five percent of Austin ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month (24 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco use was highest among
AISD 12th grade students (33 percent/31 percent statewide) and Austin 11th grade students (29
percent/27 percent statewide). Sixteen percent of district 7th graders said they had used a
tobacco product during the past month, the same rate reported by 7th graders statewide.

Fifty-five* percent of Austin students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide). Twenty-three percent of Austin students said they had smoked
cigarettes during the past month (24 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis
was reported by 8 percent of district students (7 percent statewide). Thirteen percent of Austin
ISD 12th graders said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis (12 percent statewide). Nineteen
percent of AISD students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes, the same rate
reported by students statewide.

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 17 percent of AISD students (17
percent statewide), while 5 percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the

2
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).

Alcohol

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

Seventy-seven* percent of Austin students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was lowest among AISD
7th graders (59 percent/58 percent statewide) and highest among district 12th graders (91*
percent/86 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Forty percent of Austin ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month (39
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was lowest among AISD 7th graders (23
percent/24 percent statewide). Fifty-nine* percent of district 12th graders said they had
consumed alcohol during the past month, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 12th
graders statewide (52 percent) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Austin students are beer (62* percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (63* percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty-eight percent of
AISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), while
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. Forty percent of Austin 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 43 percent of AISD 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).

Ten percent of Austin students reported attending at least one class during the past school year
while "drunk," the same rate reported by students statewide. Attending class while intoxicated
was reported by 14 percent of AISD 12th graders (10 percent statewide). Seven percent of
district 7th graders said they had attended at least one class during the past school year while
"drunk," (7 percent statewide) (Figs. 9a and 9b).

Fourteen percent of AISD 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 Austin 12th graders (30 percent/26

3
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-one* percent of Austin ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Thirty-nine percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide),
and 42 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 10 percent of AISD students (10 percent statewide).

Forty-one* percent of Austin students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide). The highest rate of alcohol use at most
or all parties was reported by AISD 12th graders (72* percent/62 percent statewide) and Austin
ISD 11th graders (65* percent/57 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their
counterparts statewide (Figs. 12a and 12b). Forty-five percent of district students responded "at
parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (44 percent
statewide), while 19 percent of AISD 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 AISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (28 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (45 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 27 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, 76 percent of Austin students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Nine 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.

4
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 decreased. Overall, Austin ISD students are using
inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Twenty percent of Austin students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes
(19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was highest among district 7th grade
students (25* percent/20 percent statewide) and 8th grade students (25 percent/24 percent
statewide). Fourteen percent of AISD 10th grade students said they had used inhalants at least
once during their lifetimes (17 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Five percent of Austin ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current inhalant use was highest among district 7th grade students
(10* percent/7 percent statewide). One percent of AISD 11th grade students said they had used
inhalants during the past month (2 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Two percent of AISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
percent statewide), and 3 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school
year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Eleven percent of AISD 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 Austin students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (9 percent/10 percent statewide) and substances in the "other inhalants" category (8
percent/8 percent statewide). Six percent of district students said they had inhaled liquid/spray
paint (7 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 5 percent
reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide), and 5 percent said they had inhaled paint
thinner (6 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. 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 Austin ISD, 37* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 27* percent of AISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates higher than 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.
Austin students reported average usage rates of 2.1 times in the past month and 6.2* times
during their lifetimes.

5
Thirty-five* percent of AISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
compared to 25 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana use was highest
among Austin 12th graders (44* percent/34 percent statewide) and AISD 9th graders (40*
percent/28 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide.
Twenty-two* percent of district 7th graders said they had used marijuana at least once in their
lifetimes, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 7th graders statewide (13 percent) (Figs.
5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 17* percent of Austin ISD students, compared to 12
percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Current marijuana use was highest among Austin 12th
graders (21* percent/14 percent statewide), district 11th graders (20* percent/14 percent
statewide), and AISD 9th graders (20* percent/14 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher
than those reported by their peers statewide. Nine* percent of district 7th graders said they had
smoked marijuana during the past month (6 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Fifteen* percent of AISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana, compared to 9 percent of students statewide. Class attendance while
stoned was lowest among Austin 7th graders (9* percent/6 percent statewide). Twenty-one*
percent of district 9th graders reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 9th graders statewide (12
percent) (Figs. 10a and 10b).

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

Sixty-three* percent of AISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain, a
rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (48 percent). Twenty-eight* percent of
Austin students reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana, compared to 17 percent
of students statewide. Six* 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-eight* percent of Austin ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used
at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year, compared to 17 percent of
students statewide. The highest reported drug use at parties was among district 11th graders
(42* percent/25 percent statewide) and AISD 12th graders (41* percent/24 percent statewide).
Drug use at most or all parties was reported by 32* percent of Austin 10th grade students (23
percent statewide), 27* percent of district 9th grade students (19 percent statewide), and 19*
percent of AISD 8th grade students (12 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those
reported by their peers statewide.

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Austin students reported a
disapproval rate of 83* percent (87 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students said

6
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent
statewide), while 6* percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Hallucinogens are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Austin ISD students
(10* percent/6 percent statewide). Reported use of hallucinogens was highest among district
12th graders (16 percent/10 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b). Eight* percent of AISD
students reported using uppers (7 percent statewide), 7* percent said they had used powdered
cocaine (5 percent statewide), 6* percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide), and 4*
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
Austin ISD, there were no significant differences by gender with regard to the use of tobacco,
alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, or other illicit substances.

Statewide, students making A and B grades reported lower drug use than did students making
C, D, and F grades. In the Austin ISD, students reporting lower grades were somewhat more
likely to report uppers use, nearly twice as likely to report inhalant or marijuana use, and nearly
three times as likely to report powdered cocaine use than were those students making A and B
grades. There were no other significant differences by grade average among AISD students
with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol, or other illegal drugs.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. AISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to report marijuana use than were those district students living in homes
with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement among
Austin ISD students with regard to the use tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, or other illicit drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Austin students said they would seek help from their friends (77* percent/74
percent statewide). Fifty-four* percent of AISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 52* 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 (30* percent/33 percent statewide), or a counselor or
program in school (32* percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall,
7 percent of Austin students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or
drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Seventy-four* percent of Austin ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (79 percent statewide). "An
assembly program" was reported by 44* percent of district students as a source for this
information (53 percent statewide), while 40* percent said a "health class" (46 percent

7
statewide). Thirty-five* percent of AISD students reported getting information about drugs and
alcohol from "an invited school guest" (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 Austin 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-four* percent of AISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 48* percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol
and tobacco use is lower. Only 41* percent of AISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to
use alcohol (46 percent statewide), while 33* percent believe that tobacco use is "very
dangerous" (41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).