TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

HEMPHILL 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 Hemphill Independent School District (HISD). A total of
337 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 31 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 306.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-eight percent of Hemphill ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 31 percent said they had used tobacco during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•Sixteen* percent of Hemphill ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while 7* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.2

•Sixty-eight percent of Hemphill ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 34 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Seven percent of Hemphill 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.

1
•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 24 percent of Hemphill ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 2 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty percent of Hemphill ISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 9 percent said they had used marijuana during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Hemphill ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (74 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in school
(34 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 Hemphill ISD students is somewhat similar to that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Fifty-eight percent of Hemphill students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was reported by 48 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (46 percent statewide) and 63 percent of HISD 9th through 12th
graders (60 percent statewide).

Thirty-one percent of Hemphill ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (24 percent) (Fig.
2). Past-month general tobacco use was reported by 18 percent of HISD 7th and 8th grade
students (20 percent statewide). Thirty-eight* percent of district 9th through 12th grade
students reported past-month general tobacco use, a rate higher than that reported by their peers
statewide (27 percent).

Fifty-two percent of Hemphill students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 28 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (22 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 16* percent
of district students, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (7 percent).
Daily use of cigarettes was reported by 22* percent of district 9th through 12th grade students,
compared to 9 percent of 9th through 12th grade students statewide. Twenty-one percent of
HISD students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 29* percent of HISD students, a
rate higher than that reported by students statewide (17 percent). Ten percent of district

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.

2
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 7* percent of
district students (2 percent statewide). Fourteen* percent of HISD students said most or all of
their close friends use smokeless tobacco, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students
statewide (5 percent).

Alcohol

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

Sixty-eight percent of Hemphill students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 56 percent of
HISD 7th and 8th graders (63 percent statewide) and 74 percent of district 9th through 12th
graders (81 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their counterparts
statewide (Fig. 3).

Thirty-four percent of Hemphill ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was reported by 22 percent of
district 7th and 8th grade students (29 percent statewide) and 40 percent of HISD 9th through
12th grade students (46 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their
peers statewide (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Hemphill students are beer (54 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (54 percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty percent of HISD
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 their counterparts statewide.

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Thirty-seven percent of Hemphill ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (39 percent statewide), while 22 percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (20 percent
statewide). Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 37 percent of HISD
students (41 percent statewide), while 21 percent said they usually drink five or more wine
coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Seven percent of Hemphill students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Attending class while intoxicated was reported by
2* percent of HISD 7th and 8th graders, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their
counterparts statewide (9 percent). Nine percent of district 9th through 12th grade students
reported attending class at least once while intoxicated (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

3
Twenty percent of HISD 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 6 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. Seventy-four percent of Hemphill ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Thirty-three percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide),
and 34 percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the
time or always (40 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their
counterparts statewide. "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking
was reported by 10 percent of HISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-three percent of Hemphill students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide). Alcohol use at most or all parties was
reported by 15 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (19 percent statewide). Forty-two percent
of HISD 9th through 12th graders reported alcohol use at most or all parties, a rate somewhat
lower than that reported by 9th through 12th graders statewide (51 percent) (Fig. 12). Thirty-
seven percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol
most of the time or always, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (44
percent). Sixteen percent of HISD 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 been in trouble because of
conduct or attitude problems. Fewer HISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (20 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (50 percent/47 percent
statewide). Seventy-three* 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 peers statewide (65 percent). By contrast, only 20*
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 counterparts 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, 75 percent of Hemphill students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Ten 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).

4
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, Hemphill ISD students are
using inhalants at rates somewhat similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Twenty-four percent of Hemphill students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 20 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (22 percent statewide). Twenty-seven* percent of HISD 9th
through 12th graders reported lifetime use of inhalants, a rate higher than that reported by 9th
through 12th graders statewide (17 percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Two percent of Hemphill ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month inhalant use was reported by 2 percent of district 7th
and 8th grade students (7 percent statewide) and 3 percent of HISD 9th through 12th grade
students (4 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

None of the HISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent
statewide), but 4 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school year
while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Seventeen percent of HISD students said they
had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12 percent
statewide).

The inhalant substances most frequently used by Hemphill students were correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (12 percent/10 percent statewide) and gasoline (11* percent/6 percent statewide). Eight
percent of district students reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8
percent statewide), 8 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 8
percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 8 percent said they had inhaled paint
thinner (6 percent statewide), and 8* percent reported inhaling substances in the "other sprays"
category (4 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 Hemphill ISD, 23 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 17 percent of HISD students said they had used one
4 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.

5
or more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates somewhat 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.
Hemphill students reported average usage rates of 0.8 times in the past month and 3.6 times
during their lifetimes.

Twenty percent of HISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes (25
percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana use was reported by 5* percent of Hemphill 7th
and 8th grade students, a rate lower than that reported by 7th and 8th grade students statewide
(17 percent). Twenty-nine percent of district 9th through 12th grade students reported lifetime
marijuana use (31 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 9 percent of Hemphill ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 2* percent of district 7th and 8th
graders, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (8 percent).
Thirteen percent of HISD 9th through 12th graders reported having smoked marijuana in the
past month (14 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Eight percent of HISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide). Attending class while "stoned" was reported by 3
percent of Hemphill 7th and 8th graders (7 percent statewide) and 11 percent of district 9th
through 12th graders (11 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 12 percent of Hemphill ISD 9th through 12th
grade students (8 percent statewide).

Forty-one percent of HISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (38
percent statewide). Ten* percent of district students reported most or all of their close friends
use marijuana, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (17 percent).
Four percent of district students said they had been in "difficulties of any kind" with their
friends because of their own drug use (5 percent statewide).

Nine* percent of the Hemphill ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at
most or all of the parties they attended during the school year, a rate somewhat lower than that
reported by their peers statewide (17 percent). Marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all
parties was reported by 6 percent of district 7th and 8th grade students (9 percent statewide).
Eleven* percent of HISD 9th through 12th grade students reported marijuana and/or other drugs
use at most or all parties, a rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (22
percent).

Fewer Hemphill ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (1 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 been in trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (4 percent statewide). By contrast, 23 percent of district
students who had been in trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using

6
marijuana during the past 30 days, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their
counterparts statewide (31 percent).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Hemphill students reported a
disapproval rate of 87 percent (87 percent statewide). Seven 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 Hemphill ISD students (9
percent/7 percent statewide). Six percent of HISD students reported using downers (5 percent
statewide), 3 percent said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 2* percent said
they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), 2 percent reported using ecstasy (3
percent statewide), 2 percent reported using crack (2 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 less likely to have used drugs than were male students. In the
Hemphill ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have smoked marijuana than were
district female students. On the other hand, HISD female students were the only reported users
of steroids in the district. There were no other significant differences by gender among HISD
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. HISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used an upper than were those students living in two-parent
homes, and those students living in other family situations were the only reported users of
steroids in the district. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement
among Hemphill ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants,
marijuana, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Hemphill students said they would seek help from their friends (74 percent/74
percent statewide). Sixty-four percent of HISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 61 percent said they would turn to their
parents (54 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by their peers
statewide. District students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or program in school
(34 percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 4 percent of
Hemphill students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use
from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

7
Seventy-six percent of Hemphill ISD students said they had obtained information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (79 percent statewide). Forty-
seven percent district students said "an invited school guest" was a source for information about
drugs and alcohol (46 percent statewide). "An assembly program" was reported by 41* percent
of district students as a source for this information, a rate lower than that reported by their peers
statewide (53 percent). Forty percent of HISD 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-two percent of Hemphill students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 92 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-seven percent of HISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide). Seventy-five* percent of district
students believe that marijuana use is "very dangerous," a rate somewhat higher than that
reported by their counterparts statewide (67 percent). By contrast, the perceived danger of
alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 53 percent of HISD students feel that it is "very
dangerous" to use alcohol, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide
(46 percent). Forty percent of Hemphill ISD students believe that tobacco use is "very
dangerous" (41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).