TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

MARFA 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 AM University, administered a survey to students in
grades 7 through 12 in the Marfa Independent School District (MISD). A total of 189 students
completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and drugs.
Of that number, 6 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 183.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

• Sixty-six* percent of Marfa 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

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

• Eighty-three* percent of Marfa ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 46 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

• Twenty-seven* percent of Marfa 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 13 percent of Marfa ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 2 percent (Fig. 2).

• Twenty-three percent of Marfa ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 6* percent said they had used marijuana during
the past month (Fig. 2).

• Marfa ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (80 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in school
(26 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 Marfa ISD students, especially with regard to cigarettes, is higher than that reported by
their counterparts statewide.

Sixty-six* percent of Marfa students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). 4 Thirty-five percent of Marfa
ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, a rate somewhat
higher than that reported by students statewide (26 percent) (Fig. 2).

Sixty-five* percent of Marfa students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (53 percent statewide), and 34 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (25 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Smoking
cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 9 percent of district students (8 percent statewide).
Twenty-nine percent of MISD students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (21 percent).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 20 percent of MISD students (16
percent statewide), while 4 percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (5 percent statewide). Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was
reported by 1 percent of district students (1 percent statewide), and 4 percent said most or all of
their close friends use smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide).

Alcohol

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.

2
Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Marfa ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two
years ago. Overall, Marfa ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates higher than those reported
by their peers statewide.

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

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Marfa students are beer (72* percent/56
percent statewide) and wine coolers (68 percent/58 percent statewide). Forty-eight* percent of
MISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (33 percent statewide), and 40
percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (31 percent statewide), rates higher than
those reported by students statewide.

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. MISD students are "binge drinking" beer and wine coolers at
rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Fifty-nine* percent of Marfa
ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (37 percent
statewide), while 30* 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 54* percent of MISD students (40 percent statewide), while 25 percent said they usually drink
five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (18 percent statewide).

Nine percent of Marfa students reported attending at least one class during the past school year
while "drunk" (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Twenty-seven* percent of MISD 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, a rate almost twice that reported by 9th through 12th grade students
statewide (15 percent). 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-nine percent of Marfa ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide). Fifty-three* percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (37 percent statewide), and 51*
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 9 percent of
MISD students (9 percent statewide).

Sixty-two* percent of Marfa students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide) (Fig. 13), and 56* percent responded "at
parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (43 percent statewide),

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rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide. Nineteen percent of MISD 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 MISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (28 percent/25 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (56 percent/44 percent
statewide). Seventy-three percent of the Marfa 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 35 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, 72 percent of Marfa students said
their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Eleven 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 (10 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, Marfa ISD
students are using inhalants at rates somewhat lower than those reported by their counterparts
statewide.

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

One percent of MISD 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 (4 percent statewide). Seven percent of MISD students said they had
used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12 percent
statewide).

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.

4
Six percent of district students reported inhaling gasoline (5 percent statewide), 5 percent said
they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 5 percent reported inhaling substances
in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 4* percent said they had inhaled
correction fluid/Liquid Paper (9 percent statewide), and 3 percent reported inhaling substances in
the "other sprays" category (4 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 Marfa ISD, 23* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 17 percent of MISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (25 percent statewide), rates lower than those
reported by students 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. Marfa
students reported average usage rates of 1.3 times in the past month and 4.3 times during their
lifetimes.

Twenty-three percent of MISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1).
Past-month marijuana use was reported by 6* percent of Marfa ISD students, in contrast to the
16 percent reported by students statewide (Fig. 2).

Nine percent of MISD 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 11 percent of Marfa ISD 9th through 12th grade
students (12 percent statewide).

Forty-three percent of MISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53
percent statewide), and 11* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (21
percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their peers statewide. Two* 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). Twelve* percent of the Marfa ISD students said that
marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the
school year, nearly half the rate reported by students statewide (23 percent).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Marfa students reported a
disapproval rate of 86 percent (85 percent statewide). Nine percent of district students said they
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent statewide),
while 2 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

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Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Marfa ISD students. Seven percent of
MISD students said they had used powdered cocaine (7 percent statewide), 3 percent reported
using uppers (8 percent statewide), and 3 percent reported using downers (6 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 Marfa ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used inhalants,
powdered cocaine, uppers, or downers than were district female students. In addition, MISD
male students were the only reported users of hallucinogens, steroids, and ecstasy in the district.
There were no other significant differences by gender among Marfa ISD students with regard to
the use of tobacco products, alcohol, marijuana, or crack.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. MISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used inhalants or powdered cocaine and over two times more
likely to have used uppers or downers than were those district students living in homes with two
parents. On the other hand, MISD students living in two-parent homes were the only reported
users of crack or ecstasy in the district. There were no other significant differences by living
arrangement among Marfa ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol,
marijuana, hallucinogens, or steroids.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Marfa students said they would seek help from their friends (80 percent/74 percent statewide).
Sixty-eight percent of MISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend or relative
(58 percent statewide), and 54 percent said they would turn to their parents (54 percent
statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or program in school
(26 percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 9 percent of Marfa
students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from
someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Eighty-four* percent of Marfa 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. "An assembly program" was reported by 75* percent of district students as a source
for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 65* percent said "an
invited school guest" was a source for this information (38 percent statewide), rates higher than
those reported by their counterparts statewide. Twenty* percent of MISD students reported
getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class," less than half the rate reported
by students statewide (46 percent).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-one percent of Marfa students believe that crack use is "very

6
dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 89 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Eighty percent of MISD students believe that inhalant use is
"very dangerous" (70 percent statewide), and 67 percent believe that marijuana use is "very
dangerous" (60 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by students
statewide. By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 41
percent of MISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44 percent statewide),
while 36 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).