TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

HUBBARD 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 Hubbard Independent School District (HISD). A total of 195
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 14 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 181.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

• Seventy-one* percent of Hubbard 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).2

• Twelve percent of Hubbard ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while 9* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

• Eighty-four* percent of Hubbard ISD students said they had used alcohol at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 51* percent reported using alcohol during
the past month (Fig. 2).

• Twenty-six* percent of Hubbard 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).

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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• Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 14 percent of Hubbard ISD students (Fig.
1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 2 percent (Fig. 2).

• Twenty-eight percent of Hubbard ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 12 percent said they had used marijuana during
the past month (Fig. 2).

• Hubbard ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (74 percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school,
such as a teacher or nurse (34 percent), or a medical doctor (34 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 Hubbard ISD students, especially with regard to the smokeless variety, is higher than that
reported by their counterparts statewide.

Seventy-one* percent of Hubbard students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1).4 Thirty-one percent of
Hubbard ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month (26 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2).

Sixty-four* percent of Hubbard students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes, a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (53 percent). Twenty-six percent
of HISD students said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month (25 percent statewide),
while 12 percent reported smoking cigarettes on a daily basis (8 percent statewide). Twenty-four
percent of district students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (21 percent
statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 40* percent of HISD students (16
percent statewide), while 15* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (5 percent statewide), and 9* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on
a daily basis (1 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide.
Sixteen* percent of district students said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco,
over three times the rate reported by students statewide (5 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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Alcohol

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

Eighty-four* percent of Hubbard students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, in contrast to the 74 percent reported by students statewide (Fig. 1). Fifty-one*
percent of Hubbard ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month, a rate
higher than that reported by students statewide (38 percent) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Hubbard students are beer (70* percent/56
percent statewide) and wine coolers (71* percent/58 percent statewide), rates higher than those
reported by students statewide. Forty-five* percent of HISD students said they drink beer on a
weekly or monthly basis (33 percent statewide), and 39 percent said they drink wine coolers
weekly or monthly (31 percent statewide).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. HISD students are "binge drinking" beer and wine coolers at rates
somewhat higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Forty-five percent of
Hubbard ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (37
percent statewide), while 25 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 51* percent of HISD students (40 percent statewide), while 23 percent said they
usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (18 percent
statewide).

Thirteen percent of Hubbard students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Twenty-six* 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, nearly double the rate reported by 9th through 12th grade students
statewide (15 percent). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was
reported by 10 percent of district 9th through 12th graders, a rate somewhat higher than that
reported by 9th through 12th graders statewide (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at parties.
Eighty-three percent of Hubbard ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide), 47 percent reported most or all of
their close friends drink alcohol (37 percent statewide), and 54* percent responded "from
friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or always (39 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. "Difficulties of any kind" with
friends because of one's own drinking was reported by 11 percent of HISD students (9 percent
statewide).

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Forty-five percent of Hubbard students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide) (Fig. 13). Forty-nine percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always
(43 percent statewide), while 10 percent of HISD 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 HISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (45* percent/25 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (58 percent/44 percent
statewide). Eighty-five* percent of the Hubbard 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 40* percent of district students who had not experienced
difficulties with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30
days (25 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, 74 percent of Hubbard students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide), and 10 percent said their
parents neither approve nor disapprove (10 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students
said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9 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, Hubbard ISD
students are using inhalants at rates somewhat lower than those reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Fourteen percent of Hubbard students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes
(20 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Two percent of Hubbard ISD students said they had used
inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Two percent of HISD students reported they had attended at least one class during the past
school year while "high" on inhalants (4 percent statewide), but none reported the most or all of
their close friends use inhalants (3 percent statewide). Seven percent of HISD students said they

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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had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12 percent
statewide).

Eight percent of Hubbard students reported inhaling correction fluid/Liquid Paper (9 percent
statewide), 7 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 5 percent
reported inhaling gasoline (5 percent statewide), 4 percent reported inhaling substances in the
"other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), and 3 percent said they had inhaled glue (5
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 Hubbard ISD, 33 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 22 percent of HISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (25 percent 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. Hubbard students reported average usage rates of 1.5 times in the past
month and 4.7 times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-eight percent of HISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate similar to that reported by their counterparts statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month
marijuana use was reported by 12 percent of Hubbard ISD students (16 percent statewide) (Fig.
2).

Nine percent of HISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (13 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 15 percent of Hubbard ISD 9th through 12th
grade students (12 percent statewide).

Fifty percent of HISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53 percent
statewide), and 16 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (21 percent
statewide). Seven 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). Eleven* percent of the
Hubbard ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the
parties they attended during the school year, less than half the rate reported by students statewide
(23 percent).

Fewer Hubbard ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (3 percent/9 percent statewide) than did district students who

5
said they had missed four or more days of school (18 percent/20 percent statewide). Five
percent of Hubbard students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (7 percent statewide). By contrast, 29 percent of district
students who had gotten into trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using
marijuana during the past 30 days (38 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Hubbard students reported a
disapproval rate of 89 percent (85 percent statewide). Six percent of district students said they
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent statewide),
while 4 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Hubbard ISD students. Eight percent of
HISD students reported using uppers (8 percent statewide), 6 percent reported using downers (6
percent statewide), 4 percent said they had used hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 3 percent
said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), and 3 percent reported using ecstasy (5 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 Hubbard ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used uppers,
nearly twice as likely to have used inhalants, marijuana, or hallucinogens, and over three times
more likely to have used ecstasy than were district female students. In addition, Hubbard male
students were the only reported users of powdered cocaine, crack, or steroids in the district.
There were no other significant differences by gender among HISD students with regard to the
use of tobacco products, alcohol, or downers.

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
nearly twice as likely to have smoked marijuana and over two times more likely to have used
hallucinogens or ecstasy than were those district students living in homes with two parents. In
addition, HISD students living in other family situations were the only reported users of
powdered cocaine or crack in the district. There were no other significant differences by living
arrangement among Hubbard ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol,
inhalants, hallucinogens, uppers, downers, or steroids.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Hubbard students said they would seek help from their friends (74 percent/74 percent
statewide). Sixty-three percent of HISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend
or relative (58 percent statewide), and 50 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 (34 percent/32 percent statewide), or a medical doctor (34 percent/38
percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 8 percent of Hubbard students

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

Sixty* percent of Hubbard ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, compared to 75 percent of students
statewide. Thirty-six percent of HISD students reported getting information about drugs and
alcohol from a "health class" (46 percent statewide). "An assembly program" was reported by
14* percent of district students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent
statewide), while 13* percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (38
percent statewide), rates considerably lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-three* percent of Hubbard students believe that powdered cocaine
use is "very dangerous" (87 percent statewide), 92 percent believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 84 percent believe that inhalant use is "very dangerous"
(70 percent statewide). Sixty-eight percent of HISD students believe that marijuana use is "very
dangerous" (60 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use
is lower. Only 39 percent of HISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44
percent statewide), while 30 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (39 percent
statewide) (Fig. 13).