TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

BECKVILLE 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 Beckville Independent School District (BISD). A total of
209 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 9 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 200.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-nine* percent of Beckville ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 36* percent said they had used tobacco
during the past month (Fig. 2).2

•Nineteen* percent of Beckville ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily
basis, while 6* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily
basis.

•Sixty-nine percent of Beckville ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 37 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Nine percent of Beckville ISD students reported attending at least one class during the
past year while "drunk," and 23 percent of district 9th through 12th grade

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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 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 17 percent of Beckville ISD students (Fig.
1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 2 percent (Fig. 2).

•Sixteen* percent of Beckville ISD 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).

•Beckville ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (79 percent), and least likely to consult a medical doctor (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. 3 Overall, the general use of tobacco
products among Beckville ISD students is higher than that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Sixty-nine* percent of Beckville ISD students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). 4 Thirty-six* percent of
Beckville 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).

Sixty-six* percent of Beckville students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 33* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the
past month (22 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by secondary students
statewide. Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 19* percent of district students
(7 percent statewide), while 31* percent said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes
(19 percent statewide), rates higher those reported by their peers statewide.

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 38* percent of BISD students, a
rate higher than that reported by secondary students statewide (17 percent). Fifteen* percent of
district students said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month, a rate
somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (6 percent). Using a
smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 6* percent of district students (2
percent statewide). Fourteen* percent of BISD students said most or all of their close friends

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 1994.

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

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use smokeless tobacco, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by secondary students
statewide (5 percent).

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide. Alcohol use among
secondary students statewide in 1994 was similar to that reported in 1992. Overall, Beckville
ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates similar to those reported by their peers statewide.

Sixty-nine percent of Beckville students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Thirty-seven percent of Beckville ISD students said
they had consumed alcohol during the past month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Beckville students are wine coolers (63
percent/61 percent statewide) and beer (61 percent/59 percent statewide). Thirty-seven percent
of BISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis, the same rate as that
reported by secondary students statewide. Thirty-one percent of district students said they drink
wine coolers weekly or monthly (34 percent statewide).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Forty-three percent of Beckville ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide). Twenty-six percent of
BISD students said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink,
a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (20 percent). Past-year
"binge drinking" of wine coolers also was reported by 43 percent of BISD students (41 percent
statewide), while 22 percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on
average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Nine percent of Beckville students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Twenty-three percent of BISD 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 somewhat higher than that reported by secondary 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 their counterparts statewide (4 percent) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Seventy-six percent of Beckville ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Thirty-nine percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide),
and 40 percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the
time or always (40 percent statewide). "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's
own drinking was reported by 8 percent of BISD students (10 percent statewide).

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Thirty-three percent of Beckville students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their peers
statewide (39 percent) (Fig. 12). When asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or
always, 34 percent of district students responded "at parties" (44 percent statewide). Twenty-
two percent of BISD 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 were in trouble because of conduct
or attitude problems. Fewer BISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported
having used alcohol during the past month (25 percent/26 percent statewide) than did district
students who said they had missed four or more days of school (33 percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-six 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 25 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, 76 percent of Beckville students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Nine percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (10
percent statewide), and 12 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11 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. Between 1992 and
1994 use of inhalants among students statewide decreased. Overall, Beckville ISD students are
using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

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

One percent of BISD 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). Six percent of BISD 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).
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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The inhalant substance most frequently used by Beckville students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (9 percent/10 percent statewide). Six percent of BISD students reported inhaling gasoline
(6 percent statewide), 6 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8
percent statewide), 3 percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), and 3 percent said
they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 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 Beckville ISD, 19* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), and 13 percent of BISD students said they had used one
or more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than
those reported by secondary students 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. Beckville students reported average usage rates of 1.3 times in the past
month and 3.6 times during their lifetimes.

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

Four* percent of BISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). None of the Beckville ISD 9th through
12th grade students reported driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past
year (8 percent statewide).

Thirty-eight percent of BISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain, a
rate somewhat lower than that reported by their peers statewide (48 percent). Six* percent of
Beckville students reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana, a rate lower than
that reported by secondary students 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 as that reported by their counterparts statewide. Five* percent of the Beckville
ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they
attended during the school year, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (17
percent).

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When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Beckville students reported a
disapproval rate of 91 percent (87 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 2 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig.
15).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Beckville ISD students (10
percent/7 percent statewide). Five percent of district students said they had used powdered
cocaine at least once during their lifetimes, the same rate as that reported by secondary students
statewide. Four percent of BISD students said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), 3
percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide), and 2 percent said they had used
hallucinogens (6 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
Beckville ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to use inhalants and were the only
reported users of hallucinogens or ecstasy in the district. There were no other significant
differences by gender among BISD 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. BISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used inhalants and over three times more likely to have used
steroids than were those district students living in homes with two parents. BISD students
living in other family situations were the only reported users of hallucinogens or ecstasy in the
district. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement among Beckville
ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana or other illicit drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Beckville students said they would seek help from their friends (79 percent/74
percent statewide). Fifty-four percent of BISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 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 medical
doctor (27* percent/38 percent statewide), or from another adult in school, such as a teacher or
nurse (30 percent/33 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 4 percent of
Beckville students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use
from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Seventy-five percent of Beckville ISD students said they had obtained information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (79 percent statewide). "An
assembly program" was reported by 53 percent of district students as a source for this
information, the same rate as that reported by secondary students statewide. Thirty-eight
percent of district students said "an invited school guest" gave them the information, a rate

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somewhat lower than that reported by their peers statewide (46 percent). Twenty-seven*
percent of BISD 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. Ninety-five percent of Beckville students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 92 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty percent of BISD students believe that inhalant use is
"very dangerous" (77 percent statewide). Eighty-four* percent of district students believe that
marijuana use is "very dangerous," a rate higher than that reported by secondary students
statewide (67 percent). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower.
Only 49 percent of BISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (46 percent
statewide). Thirty* percent of Beckville ISD students believe that tobacco use is "very
dangerous," a rate lower than that reported by secondary students statewide (41 percent) (Fig.
13).