TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

WAELDER 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 Waelder Independent School District (WISD). A total of
98 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 4 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 94.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-one percent of Waelder ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 38 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Eleven percent of Waelder ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while 3 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Eighty-one percent of Waelder ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 50 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Nine percent of Waelder ISD students reported attending at least one class during the
past year while "drunk," and 15 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."

•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 11 percent of Waelder ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 3 percent (Fig. 2).

•Thirty-four percent of Waelder ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 16 percent said they had used marijuana
during the past month (Fig. 2).
1 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."

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•Waelder ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (65 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in school
(27 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. 2 Overall, the general use of tobacco
products among Waelder ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Sixty-one percent of Waelder students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).3 Thirty-eight percent of Waelder ISD students said
they had used a tobacco product during the past month, a rate higher than that reported by their
peers statewide (24 percent) (Fig. 2).

Fifty-nine percent of Waelder students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide). Thirty-five percent of Waelder ISD students said they had
smoked cigarettes during the past month, a rate higher than that reported by their counterparts
statewide (22 percent). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 11 percent of
Waelder students (7 percent statewide). Twenty-nine percent of WISD students said most or all
of their close friends smoke cigarettes, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers
statewide (19 percent).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 27 percent of WISD students (17
percent statewide), while 13 percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (6 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by students
statewide. Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 3 percent of
Waelder students (2 percent statewide), and 8 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 Waelder ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students in 1994 was similar to that reported in 1992. Overall,
2 2
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.

3 3
Due to the small number of students surveyed in this district, no between-grade comparisons can be
made.

2
Waelder ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat higher than those reported by their
peers statewide.

Eighty-one percent of Waelder students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 74 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Fifty percent of Waelder ISD
students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month, a rate higher than that reported
by their peers statewide (39 percent) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Waelder students are wine coolers (69
percent/61 percent statewide) and beer (57 percent/59 percent statewide). Forty-six percent of
WISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis, a rate somewhat higher than
that reported by their counterparts statewide (37 percent). Forty-seven percent of Waelder
students said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly, a rate higher than that reported by
students statewide (34 percent).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Forty-one percent of Waelder ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide). Thirty-three percent of
Waelder students said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they
drink, a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (20 percent). Past-year "binge
drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 48 percent of WISD 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), rates somewhat higher than those reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Nine percent of Waelder students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Fifteen percent of WISD 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 7 percent of Waelder 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-eight percent of Waelder ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain, a rate higher than that reported by students
statewide (77 percent). Sixty-one* percent of district students reported most or all of their close
friends drink alcohol, a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (40 percent). 4
Forty-seven percent of Waelder students responded "from friends" when asked where they
obtained alcohol most of the time or always (40 percent statewide). "Difficulties of any kind"
4 4
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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with friends because of one's own drinking was reported by 15 percent of WISD students (10
percent statewide).

Fifty-six* percent of Waelder students 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 their counterparts statewide
(39 percent) (Fig. 12). Fifty-three percent of Waelder students responded "at parties" when
asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always, compared to 44 percent of students
statewide. Six* percent of WISD students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the
time or always, a rate lower than that reported by their counterparts 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 WISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (35 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (58 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 19* 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, 57* percent of Waelder students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove, a rate lower than that reported by students
statewide (75 percent). Nineteen percent of district students said they "don't know" how their
parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (10 percent statewide), and 21 percent said their
parents neither approve nor disapprove (11 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those
reported by their peers 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, Waelder ISD students are
using inhalants at rates somewhat lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Eleven percent of Waelder students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes,
compared to 19 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Three percent of Waelder ISD students
said they had used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

5 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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None of the WISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent
statewide), and none said they had attended at least one class during the past school year while
"high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Six percent of WISD students said they had used two
or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes, a rate somewhat lower than
that reported by their counterparts statewide (12 percent).

The inhalant substance most frequently used by Waelder students was liquid/spray paint (7
percent/7 percent statewide). Seven percent of Waelder students said they had inhaled
liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 6 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other
inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 4 percent said they had inhaled correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (10 percent statewide), 4 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (6
percent statewide), and 3 percent reported inhaling gasoline (6 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 Waelder ISD, 35 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (28 percent).
Twenty-four percent of WISD students said they had used one or more illicit substances three
or more times (19 percent 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.
Waelder students reported average usage rates of 2.0 times in the past month and 4.0 times
during their lifetimes.

Thirty-four percent of WISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1).
Past-month marijuana use was reported by 16 percent of Waelder ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2).

Seven percent of WISD 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 5 percent of Waelder ISD 9th through 12th
grade students (8 percent statewide).

Fifty-six percent of WISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 24 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by students statewide. Seven
percent of Waelder students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their

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friends because of their own drug use (5 percent statewide). Sixteen percent of the Waelder
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).

None of the Waelder ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (6 percent statewide), while 17 percent who said they had
missed four or more days of school reported using marijuana during the past month (15 percent
statewide). None of the Waelder students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials
reported using marijuana within the past 30 days (4 percent statewide). By contrast, 26 percent
of Waelder 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, Waelder students reported a
disapproval rate of 67* percent, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (87
percent). Twenty-two* percent of Waelder students said they "don't know" how their parents
feel about kids their age using marijuana, a rate higher than that reported by their peers
statewide (8 percent). Nine percent of WISD students said their parents neither approve nor
disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Waelder ISD students. Three percent of
WISD students said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 3 percent reported using
powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), and 1 percent reported using crack (2 percent
statewide) at least once during their lifetimes. None of the WISD students reported ever using
uppers (7 percent statewide), downers (5 percent statewide), steroids (2 percent statewide), or
ecstasy (3 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were less likely to have used drugs than were male students. In the
Waelder ISD, male students were nearly two times more likely to have used tobacco products
and over three times more likely to have used inhalants or smoked marijuana than were district
female students. In addition, WISD male students were the only reported users of powdered
cocaine, crack, or hallucinogens in the district. There were no significant differences by gender
among WISD students with regard to the use of alcohol or other illicit drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Waelder students said they would seek help from their friends (65 percent),
compared to 74 percent of students statewide. Fifty-six percent of WISD students said they
would seek help from an adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide). Forty-one percent of
Waelder ISD students said they would turn to their parents for help with a drug or alcohol
problem, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (54 percent). District students
are least likely to seek help from a counselor or program in school (27 percent/35 percent
statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 6 percent of Waelder students reported

6
seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than
family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Ninety-six* percent of Waelder 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. "An assembly program" was reported by 84* percent of district students as a source
for information about drugs and alcohol, a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide
(53 percent). Fifty percent of WISD students said "an invited school guest" was a source for
information about drugs and alcohol (46 percent statewide). Twenty-five* percent of district
students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class," a rate lower
than that reported by their counterparts statewide (46 percent).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Seventy-six* percent of Waelder students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 77 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide.
Seventy-three percent of WISD students believe that inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77
percent statewide). Forty-nine* percent of district students believe that marijuana use is "very
dangerous," a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (67 percent). By contrast,
the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 38 percent of WISD students
feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (46 percent statewide). Twenty* percent of
Waelder ISD students believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous," a rate lower than that
reported by students statewide (41 percent) (Fig. 13).