TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

LEVELLAND 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 8, 10, and 12 in the Levelland Independent School District (LISD). A total
of 784 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 33 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 751.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-seven* percent of Levelland ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 35* percent said they had used tobacco
during the past month (Fig. 2).2

•Fifteen* percent of LISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 4*
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Seventy-eight percent of Levelland ISD students said they had used alcohol at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 44 percent reported using alcohol during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•Seven percent of LISD students reported attending at least one class during the past
year while "drunk," and 29* percent of district 10th and 12th grade students said

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

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 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 3* percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-five percent of LISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 7* percent said they had used marijuana during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Levelland ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (81* percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in
school (32 percent) or a medical doctor (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 Levelland ISD students is higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Sixty-seven* percent of Levelland students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes, compared to 57 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was
reported by 57 percent of district 8th graders (52 percent statewide). Sixty-nine* percent of
LISD 10th graders said they had used a tobacco product at least once during their lifetimes, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by 10th graders statewide (60 percent). Lifetime
general tobacco use was reported by 78* percent of district 12th grade students, a rate higher
than that reported by their 12th grade peers statewide (63 percent).

Thirty-five* percent of Levelland ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month, compared to 26 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco
use was reported by 27 percent of LISD 8th grade students (23 percent statewide). Thirty-five
percent of district 10th grade students said they had used a tobacco product during the past
month, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 10th grade students statewide (27 percent).
Past-month general tobacco use was reported by 46* percent of LISD 12th graders, a rate
higher than that reported by 12th graders statewide (31 percent).

Sixty-four* percent of Levelland students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide), and 33* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the
past month (24 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by their
counterparts statewide. Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 15* percent of
district students, compared to 8 percent of students statewide. The highest rate of daily cigarette
use was reported by LISD 12th graders (22* percent), a rate higher than that reported by 12th
graders statewide (12 percent). Eighteen* percent of district 10th graders reported daily

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cigarette use, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their 10th grade peers statewide (10
percent). Thirty* percent of Levelland ISD students said most or all of their close friends
smoke cigarettes, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (21
percent).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 30* percent of LISD students, a
rate higher than that reported by students statewide (19 percent). Twelve* percent of Levelland
ISD students said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month, compared
to 6 percent of students statewide. Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was
reported by 4* percent of district students (2 percent statewide), while 12* percent said most or
all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco (6 percent statewide).

Alcohol

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

Seventy-eight percent of Levelland students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes, the same rate reported by students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was
reported by 68 percent of LISD 8th graders (69 percent statewide) and 83 percent of district
10th graders (81 percent statewide). Eighty-seven percent of LISD 12th grade students said
they had consumed alcohol at least once during their lifetimes (86 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Forty-four percent of Levelland ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (42 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was reported by 32 percent of
district 8th grade students (34 percent statewide) and 45 percent of LISD 10th grade students
(45 percent statewide). Sixty-one percent of district 12th graders said they had consumed
alcohol during the past month, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts
statewide (52 percent) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Levelland students are beer (68 percent/63
percent statewide) and wine coolers (63 percent/64 percent statewide). Forty-seven* percent of
LISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis, a rate somewhat higher than
that reported by their peers statewide (40 percent). Thirty-four percent of district students said
they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (36 percent statewide).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Fifty* percent of Levelland ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (42 percent statewide), while 34* percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (22 percent
statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by their peers statewide. Past-year "binge
drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 47 percent of LISD students (43 percent statewide),

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while 25* percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when
they drink (20 percent statewide).

Seven percent of Levelland students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Figs. 9a and 9b). Twenty-nine* percent of LISD
10th and 12th grade students said that they had driven a car after having "a good bit to drink" at
least once during the past year, compared to 18 percent of 10th and 12th grade students
statewide. Driving while intoxicated was reported by 21* percent of district 10th grade students
(11 percent statewide) and 39* percent of Levelland 12th grade students (25 percent statewide),
rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Driving while intoxicated four
or more times during the past year was reported by 6 percent of district 10th and 12th graders (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Seventy-nine percent of Levelland ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (80 percent statewide), and 42 percent reported most
or all of their close friends drink alcohol (44 percent statewide). Fifty* percent of district
students responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (44 percent).
"Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported by 13
percent of LISD students (10 percent statewide).

Forty-seven percent of Levelland students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year (44 percent statewide). Alcohol use at most or all parties
was reported by 21 percent of Levelland 8th graders (24 percent statewide) and 56 percent of
district 10th graders (52 percent statewide). Seventy-three* percent of LISD 12th graders said
alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they attended in the past school year, a rate higher
than that reported by 12th graders statewide (62 percent) (Fig. 12). Fifty-two percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or
always (47 percent statewide). Eleven* percent of LISD students said they get alcohol "from
the store" most of the time or always, a rate lower than that reported by their counterparts
statewide (23 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 LISD students who had not been absent since September
reported having used alcohol during the past month (30 percent/29 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (46 percent/50 percent
statewide). Sixty-seven 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 (66 percent
statewide). By contrast, only 32 percent of district students who had not experienced
difficulties with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past
30 days (29 percent statewide).

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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 Levelland students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Six percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9
percent statewide), and 12 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants3

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

Twenty percent of Levelland students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 21 percent of
district 8th graders (24 percent statewide) and 21 percent of LISD 10th graders (17 percent
statewide). Eighteen percent of district 12th grade students said they had used inhalants at least
once during their lifetimes (15 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Three* percent of Levelland ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current inhalant use was reported by 4 percent of district 8th grade
students (8 percent statewide) and 2 percent of LISD 10th grade students (4 percent statewide).
One percent of district 12th graders said they had used inhalants during the past month (2
percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Two percent of LISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent
statewide), and 2 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school year
while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Fourteen percent of LISD 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 Levelland students were gasoline (9*percent/6
percent statewide) and liquid/spray paint (9 percent/7 percent statewide). Eight percent of
district students said they had inhaled correction fluid/Liquid Paper (10 percent statewide), 8
percent reported inhaling paint thinner (6 percent statewide), and 6 percent said they had
inhaled substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide) at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 7).

Illicit Drugs
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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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 Levelland ISD, 27 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (30 percent statewide), while 17* percent of LISD students said they had used
one or more illicit substances three or more times (21 percent statewide). Statewide, students
who said they had used illicit drugs reported using them an average of 1.6 times in the past 30
days and 4.7 times during their lives. Levelland students reported average usage rates of 0.8
times in the past month and 3.6 times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-five percent of LISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate similar to that reported by their counterparts statewide (28 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime
marijuana use was reported by 18 percent of Levelland 8th grade students (21 percent
statewide) and 28 percent of district 10th grade students (30 percent statewide). Thirty-two
percent of LISD 12th graders said they had used marijuana at least once during their lifetimes
(34 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 7* percent of Levelland ISD students, a rate
somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (13 percent) (Fig. 2).
Current marijuana use was reported by 6 percent of district 8th graders (11 percent statewide)
and 9 percent of LISD 10th graders (14 percent statewide). Seven* percent of district 12th
grade students said they had used marijuana during the past month, compared to 14 percent of
12th grade students statewide (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Seven percent of LISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 7 percent of Levelland ISD 10th and 12th grade
students (9 percent statewide).

Forty-three* percent of LISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (52
percent statewide), and 9* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their peers statewide. Five 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).

Ten* percent of Levelland 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 19 percent of
students statewide. Drug use at most or all parties was reported by 10* percent of Levelland
10th graders (23 percent statewide) and 15* percent of LISD 12th graders (24 percent
statewide), rates lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

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When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Levelland students reported a
disapproval rate of 94* percent, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide
(88 percent). Four* percent of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel
about kids their age using marijuana (7 percent statewide), while 1* percent said their parents
neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 17).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Levelland ISD students (8
percent/8 percent statewide). Six percent of LISD students reported using powdered cocaine (6
percent statewide), 5 percent said they had used hallucinogens (7 percent statewide), 3 percent
reported using downers (5 percent statewide), and 3 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
Levelland ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to report inhalant, marijuana, or
steroid use than were district female students. There were no other significant differences by
gender among LISD students with regard to the use of tobacco, 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. LISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to report the use of inhalants, marijuana, or uppers than were those
district students living in homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences
by living arrangement among Levelland ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol,
or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Levelland students said they would seek help from their friends (81 percent/76
percent statewide). Fifty-nine percent of LISD 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 (53 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or
program in school (32 percent/33 percent statewide) or a medical doctor (32 percent/37 percent
statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 9 percent of Levelland students reported
seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than
family or friends (6 percent statewide).

Seventy-seven percent of Levelland ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (79 percent statewide). "A
health class" was reported by 50 percent of district students as a source for this information (45
percent statewide). Thirty* percent of Levelland students said "an assembly program" was a
source for information about drugs and alcohol (54 percent statewide), while 28* percent said
"an invited school guest" was a source (46 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by
their peers statewide.

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The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-four percent of Levelland students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 93 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty-eight* percent of LISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 81* percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (66 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide.
By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 44 percent of
LISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (45 percent statewide), while 33
percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (38 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).