TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

DODD CITY 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 Dodd City Independent School District (DCISD). A total
of 88 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 8 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 80.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-one percent of Dodd City ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 20 percent said they had used tobacco during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•Seven percent of Dodd City ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while 8 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Fifty-seven* percent of Dodd City ISD students said they had used alcohol at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 32 percent reported using alcohol during
the past month (Fig. 2).2

•Two percent of Dodd City ISD students reported attending at least one class during the
past year while "drunk," and 10 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."

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 7* percent of Dodd City ISD students (Fig.
1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 1 percent (Fig. 2).

•Seven* percent of DCISD students reported using marijuana at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 4 percent said they had used marijuana during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Dodd City ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (84 percent) and least likely to consult a medical doctor (26
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 Dodd City ISD students is somewhat similar to that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Fifty-one percent of Dodd City students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).4 Twenty percent of Dodd City ISD students said they
had used a tobacco product during the past month (24 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Forty-four percent of Dodd City students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 15 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (22 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their peers
statewide. Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 7 percent of district students (7
percent statewide), while 12 percent said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19
percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 22 percent of DCISD students (17
percent statewide). Thirteen percent of Dodd City 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 8 percent of district students (2 percent statewide), and 12 percent said most or all
of their close friends use smokeless tobacco (5 percent), rates somewhat higher than those
reported by their peers 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 1994.

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

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

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

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Dodd City students are wine coolers (52
percent/61 percent statewide) and beer (45 percent/59 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower
than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Twenty-eight percent of DCISD students
said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and 23 percent said
they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (34 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than
those reported by their peers statewide.

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 38
percent of DCISD students (41 percent statewide), while 16 percent said they usually drink five
or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide). Thirty-five
percent of Dodd City ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during the past
year (39 percent statewide), while 21 percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a
time on average when they drink (20 percent statewide).

Two percent of Dodd City students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk," a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their peers statewide (10
percent) (Fig. 9). Ten percent of DCISD 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
none of the 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. Eighty-one percent of Dodd City ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Thirty-one percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide),
and 31 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 their peers
statewide. "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported
by 8 percent of DCISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-three percent of Dodd City 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
counterparts statewide (39 percent) (Fig. 12). Thirty-two percent of district students responded

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"at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always, a rate lower than
that reported by their peers statewide (44 percent). Twenty-one percent of DCISD students said
they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always, the same rate reported by students
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, 86 percent of Dodd City
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Five percent of
district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer
(10 percent statewide), and 3 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, Dodd City ISD students
are using inhalants at rates somewhat lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

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

None of the DCISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent
statewide), while 1 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school year
while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Five percent of DCISD 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 substances most frequently used by Dodd City students were the substances in the
"other inhalants" category (6 percent/8 percent statewide). Two percent of district students
reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide), 1* percent reported inhaling correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (10 percent statewide), 1 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7
percent statewide), and 1 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. Between
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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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 Dodd City ISD, 14* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (28 percent). Eleven
percent of DCISD students said they had used one or more illicit substances three or more
times, compared to 19 percent of 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. Dodd City students reported an average usage a rate of 1.4 times during their
lifetimes.

Seven* percent of DCISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate lower than that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month marijuana
use was reported by 4 percent of Dodd City ISD students, a rate somewhat lower than that
reported by their counterparts statewide (12 percent) (Fig. 2).

Four percent of DCISD 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 Dodd City ISD 9th through 12th
grade students (8 percent statewide).

Forty-eight percent of DCISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide). Five* percent of Dodd City students reported most or all of their close
friends use marijuana, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (17 percent). One
percent of district students said they had been in "difficulties of any kind" with their friends
because of their own drug use (5 percent statewide). Eleven percent of the Dodd City 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 somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide
(17 percent).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Dodd City students reported a
disapproval rate of 93 percent (87 percent statewide). Four percent of district students said they
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent statewide),
while none said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Dodd City ISD students (7
percent/7 percent statewide). Four percent of district students said they had used powdered
cocaine (5 percent statewide), and 2 percent of DCISD students said they had used
hallucinogens (6 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes. None of the DCISD
students reported ever using crack (2 percent statewide), downers (5 percent statewide), steroids
(2 percent statewide), or ecstasy (3 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

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Statewide, female students were less likely to have used drugs than were male students. In the
Dodd City ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco product and
over three times more likely to have used an inhalant or smoked marijuana than were district
female students. On the other hand, DCISD female students were the only reported users of
hallucinogens in the district. There were no other significant differences by gender among
DCISD students with regard to the use of alcohol, powdered cocaine, or uppers.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. DCISD students living in other family situations were
nearly twice as likely to have used a tobacco product or alcohol and over three times more
likely to have used an inhalant or smoked marijuana than were those district students living in
homes with two parents. In addition, Dodd City students living in other family situations were
the only reported users of uppers in the district. There were no other significant differences by
living arrangement among Dodd City ISD students with regard to the use of powdered cocaine
or hallucinogens.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Dodd City students said they would seek help from their friends (84 percent),
compared to 74 percent of students statewide. Sixty-seven percent of DCISD students said they
would seek help from an adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 66 percent said they
would turn to their parents (54 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers
statewide. District students are least likely to seek help from a medical doctor (26 percent/38
percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 3 percent of Dodd City students
reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other
than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Eighty-nine percent of Dodd City ISD students said they had obtained information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, a rate higher than that reported
by their peers statewide (79 percent). "An assembly program" was reported by 72 percent of
district students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide),
while 63 percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (46 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Forty-nine percent
of DCISD students 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. Ninety-seven percent of Dodd City students believe that crack use is
"very dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 91 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is
"very dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty-six percent of DCISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 84 percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students
statewide. By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 57
percent of DCISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol, compared to 46
percent of students statewide. Only 29 percent of Dodd City ISD students believe that tobacco

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use is "very dangerous," a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (41 percent) (Fig.
13).