TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

TIMPSON 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 7 through 12 in the Timpson Independent School District (TISD). A total of
211 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 27 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 184.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-nine percent of Timpson ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 32 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Eleven percent of TISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 5
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Sixty-seven percent of Timpson ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 33 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Ten percent of TISD students reported attending at least one class during the past year
while "drunk," and 17 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 14 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 1* percent (Fig. 2).2
1
The percentages referred to in the executive summary were taken from the tables found in "Part I: Timpson
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

1
•Eighteen percent of TISD students reported using marijuana at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 8 percent said they had used marijuana during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Timpson ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (69 percent) and least likely to consult a another adult in school, such as
a teacher or nurse (39 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 Timpson ISD students is somewhat similar to that reported by their
counterparts statewide. However, Timpson students are using, or have friends who are using,
smokeless tobacco products at rates that are somewhat higher than those reported by students
statewide.

Fifty-nine percent of Timpson students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).3 Thirty-two percent of Timpson 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).

Fifty-two percent of Timpson students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes, the same rate reported by students statewide. Twenty-five percent of TISD students
said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month (22 percent statewide). Smoking
cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 11 percent of district students (7 percent statewide),
while 15 percent said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 28* percent of TISD students (17
percent statewide), while 14* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during
the past month (6 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide.
Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 5 percent of district
students (2 percent statewide). Twelve* percent of Timpson students said most or all of their
close friends use smokeless tobacco, compared to 5 percent of students statewide.

Alcohol

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.

3
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 Timpson ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years ago.
Overall, Timpson ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat lower than those
reported by their peers statewide.

Sixty-seven percent of Timpson students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 74 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Thirty-three percent of
Timpson ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month, a rate somewhat
lower than that reported by students statewide (39 percent) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Timpson students are beer (56 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (55 percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty-three percent of
TISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide).
Twenty-five percent of district students said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly, a rate
somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts 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. Thirty-two percent of Timpson ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year, compared to 39 percent of students statewide.
Twenty percent of district students said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on
average when they drink (20 percent statewide). Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers
was reported by 32 percent of TISD students, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by
students statewide (41 percent). Seventeen percent of district students said they usually drink
five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Ten percent of Timpson students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk," the same rate reported by their peers statewide (Fig. 9). Seventeen percent
of TISD 9th through 12th grade students said 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 5 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-one percent of Timpson ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain, compared to 77 percent of students statewide.
Thirty-four percent of district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol
(40 percent statewide), and 33 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 students statewide. "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's
own drinking was reported by 11 percent of TISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-six percent of Timpson students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Thirty-six 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). Seventeen

3
percent of TISD 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 gotten into trouble because of
conduct or attitude problems. Fewer TISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (16 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (51 percent/47 percent
statewide). Fifty-five* 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
lower than that reported by students statewide (65 percent). By contrast, only 26 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, 71 percent of Timpson students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Eleven percent of
district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer
(10 percent statewide), and 14 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11
percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants4

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

Fourteen percent of Timpson students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). One* percent of Timpson ISD students said they had
used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

One percent of TISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent
statewide), and 3 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school year
while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Ten percent of TISD 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 Timpson students were correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (9 percent/10 percent statewide) and gasoline (9 percent/6 percent statewide). Seven

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.

4
percent of district students said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 7 percent said they
had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), and 7 percent reported inhaling substances
in the "other inhalants" category (8 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 Timpson ISD, 21 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (28 percent).
Fifteen percent of TISD 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.
Timpson students reported average usage rates of 0.9 times in the past month and 3.6 times
during their lifetimes.

Eighteen percent of TISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month
marijuana use was reported by 8 percent of Timpson ISD students (12 percent statewide) (Fig.
2).

Six percent of TISD 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 7 percent of Timpson ISD 9th through 12th grade students
(8 percent statewide).

Forty percent of TISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48 percent
statewide). Four* percent of Timpson students reported most or all of their close friends use
marijuana, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (17 percent). Five percent of
district students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of
their own drug use, the same rate reported by students statewide. Twelve percent of Timpson
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).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Timpson students reported a
disapproval rate of 86 percent (87 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 4 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig.
15).

5
Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Timpson ISD students (11
percent/7 percent statewide). Seven percent of TISD students reported using downers (5
percent statewide), and 4 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide) at
least once during their lifetimes. None of the district student reported ever using crack (2
percent statewide) or steroids (2 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
Timpson ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used inhalants than were
district female students. There were no other significant differences by gender among TISD
students with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, 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. TISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have consumed alcohol than were those district students living in
homes with two parents. On the other hand, Timpson students living in two-parent homes were
somewhat more likely to have used inhalants and nearly two times more likely to have used
uppers than were those district students living in other family situations. There were no other
significant differences by living arrangement among Timpson ISD students with regard to the
use of tobacco, marijuana, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Timpson students said they would seek help from their friends (69 percent/74
percent statewide). Fifty-eight percent of TISD 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 (54 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from another adult
in school, such as a teacher or nurse (39 percent/33 percent statewide), or a medical doctor (42
percent/38 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 7 percent of Timpson
students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from
someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Sixty-seven* percent of Timpson ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, a rate lower than that reported
by students statewide (79 percent). "An assembly program" was reported by 32* percent of
district students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol, compared to 53 percent of
students statewide. Forty-one percent of TISD students said "an invited school guest" was a
source of information about drugs and alcohol (46 percent statewide), and 46 percent 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. Eighty-seven percent of Timpson students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 87 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very

6
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty* percent of district students believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous," compared to 67 percent of students statewide. Seventy-eight percent of
TISD students believe that inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide). By contrast,
the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Fifty-eight percent of TISD students
feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol, a rate higher than that reported by students
statewide (46 percent). Forty-nine percent of Timpson ISD students believe that tobacco use is
"very dangerous," a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (41
percent) (Fig. 13).