TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

GLADEWATER 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 Gladewater Independent School District (GISD). A total
of 723 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 47 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 676.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty percent of Gladewater 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

•Fifteen* percent of Gladewater ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily
basis, while 3 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily
basis.

•Seventy-four percent of Gladewater ISD students said they had used alcohol at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 39 percent reported using alcohol during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•Nine percent of Gladewater ISD students reported attending at least one class during
the past year while "drunk," and 19 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 20 percent of Gladewater ISD students (Fig.
1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 5 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-eight percent of Gladewater 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).

•Gladewater ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (76 percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school,
such as a teacher or nurse (31 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 Gladewater ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Sixty percent of Gladewater students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was reported by 46 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (46 percent statewide). Sixty-nine* percent of GISD 9th through
12th graders reported use of a tobacco product at least once during their lifetimes, a rate
somewhat higher than that reported by 9th through 12th graders statewide (60 percent).

Thirty-six* percent of Gladewater ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month, compared to 24 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco
use was reported by 27* percent of GISD 7th and 8th grade students, a rate somewhat higher
than that reported by 7th and 8th grade students statewide (20 percent). Forty-two* percent of
district 9th through 12th grade students said they had used a tobacco product during the past
month, a rate higher than that reported by 9th through 12th grade students statewide (27
percent).

Fifty-seven percent of Gladewater students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during
their lifetimes (52 percent statewide). Thirty-three* percent of GISD students said they had
smoked cigarettes during the past month, a rate higher than that reported by students statewide
(22 percent). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 15* percent of district
students, compared to 7 percent of students statewide. Daily use of cigarettes was reported by
9* percent of Gladewater 7th and 8th grade students (4 percent statewide). Nineteen* 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 1994.

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of district 9th through 12th grade students reported daily cigarette use, a rate higher than that
reported by 9th through 12th grade students statewide (9 percent). Thirty-one* percent of
GISD students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes, a rate higher than that
reported by students statewide (19 percent).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 25* percent of GISD students, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (17 percent). Ten* percent of
GISD students said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month (6 percent
statewide). Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 3 percent of
district students (2 percent statewide), and 5 percent said most or all of their close friends use
smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide).

Alcohol

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

Seventy-four percent of Gladewater students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes, the same rate reported by students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was
reported by 59 percent of GISD 7th and 8th graders (63 percent statewide) and 84 percent of
district 9th through 12th graders (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-nine percent of Gladewater ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was reported by 24 percent of
district 7th and 8th grade students (29 percent statewide) and 49 percent of GISD 9th through
12th grade students (46 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Gladewater students are wine coolers (65
percent/61 percent statewide) and beer (58 percent/59 percent statewide). Thirty-four percent
of GISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and
32 percent 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. Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 45
percent of GISD students (41 percent statewide), while 24* percent said they usually drink five
or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide). Forty
percent of Gladewater ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their
lifetimes (39 percent statewide), while 20 percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a
time on average when they drink (20 percent statewide).

Nine percent of Gladewater students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Attending class while intoxicated was reported by 6

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percent of GISD 7th and 8th graders (9 percent statewide) and 11 percent of district 9th through
12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

Nineteen percent of GISD 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 4 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-four percent of Gladewater ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or
liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Forty-one percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide),
and 41 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 9 percent of GISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-four percent of Gladewater students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide). Alcohol use at most or all parties was
reported by 12* percent of district 7th and 8th graders, a rate somewhat lower than that reported
by 7th and 8th graders statewide (19 percent). Forty-eight percent of GISD 9th through 12th
graders said alcohol was used at most or all parties (51 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Forty
percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of
the time or always (44 percent statewide). Twelve* percent of GISD students said they get
alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always, a rate somewhat lower than that reported
by students statewide (21 percent).

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 GISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (22 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (46 percent/47 percent
statewide). Seventy-three* 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 30* 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, 77 percent of Gladewater
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Eight percent
of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking
beer (10 percent statewide), and 10 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove
(11 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

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Inhalants4

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

Twenty percent of Gladewater students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 16 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (22 percent statewide) and 22* percent of GISD 9th through 12th
graders (17 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Five percent of Gladewater ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month, the
same rate reported by students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month inhalant use was reported by 7
percent of district 7th and 8th grade students (7 percent statewide) and 4 percent of GISD 9th
through 12th grade students (4 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Two percent of GISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
percent statewide), and 4 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school
year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Twelve percent of GISD 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 Gladewater students were correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (10 percent/10 percent statewide) and substances in the "other inhalants"
category (9 percent/8 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students reported inhaling
gasoline (6 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent
statewide), 7 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent statewide), 6 percent said
they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), and 5 percent reported inhaling substances in the
"other sprays" category (4 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Figs. 7a and
7b).

Fewer Gladewater ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
inhalants during the past month (2 percent/3 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (7 percent/6 percent statewide). Three percent
of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using inhalants
within the past 30 days (2 percent statewide). By contrast, 18 percent of district students who
had gotten into trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using inhalants
during the past 30 days (11 percent statewide).

Illicit Drugs
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.

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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 Gladewater ISD, 32 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 23 percent of GISD students said they had used one
or more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates similar to those
reported by their peers 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.
Gladewater students reported average usage rates of 1.2 times in the past month and 4.5 times
during their lifetimes.

Twenty-eight percent of GISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
a rate similar to that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana
use was reported by 13 percent of Gladewater 7th and 8th grade students (17 percent statewide).
Thirty-eight* percent of district 9th through 12th grade students reported smoking marijuana at
least once during their lifetimes, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 9th through 12th
grade students statewide (31 percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 12 percent of Gladewater ISD students, the same
rate reported by students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 7
percent of district 7th and 8th graders (8 percent statewide) and 16 percent of GISD 9th through
12th graders (14 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Nine percent of GISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide). Attending class while "stoned" was reported by 5
percent of Gladewater 7th and 8th graders (7 percent statewide) and 11 percent of district 9th
through 12th graders (11 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 11 percent of Gladewater ISD 9th through 12th
grade students (8 percent statewide).

Fifty-two percent of GISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 16 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide). Five percent of district students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any
kind" with their friends because of their own drug use (5 percent statewide).

Sixteen percent of the Gladewater 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).
Marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all parties was reported by 9 percent of district 7th
and 8th grade students (9 percent statewide) and 21 percent of GISD 9th through 12th grade
students (22 percent statewide).

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Fewer Gladewater ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (5 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (14 percent/15 percent statewide). Five
percent of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (4 percent statewide). By contrast, 43 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 (31 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Gladewater students reported a
disapproval rate of 88 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 4 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig.
15).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Gladewater ISD students (12*
percent/7 percent statewide). Eight* percent of GISD students reported using downers (5
percent statewide), 5 percent said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 4 percent
said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), 3 percent reported using crack (2
percent statewide), 2 percent said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), and 1 percent
reported using ecstasy (3 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
Gladewater ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used an inhalant or smoked
marijuana than were district female students. There were no significant differences by gender
among GISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, 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. GISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used a downer and nearly two times more likely to have smoked
marijuana than were those district students living in homes with two parents. There were no
significant differences by living arrangement among Gladewater ISD students with regard to the
use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Gladewater students said they would seek help from their friends (76 percent/74
percent statewide). Fifty-four percent of GISD 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 another adult
in school, such as a teacher or nurse (31 percent/33 percent statewide), or a medical doctor (35
percent/38 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 8 percent of Gladewater

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

Seventy-two* percent of Gladewater ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, compared to 79 percent of
students statewide. "An assembly program" was reported by 53 percent of district students as a
source for information about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide), while 44 percent said
"an invited school guest" was a source for this information (46 percent statewide). Thirty*
percent of GISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health
class," a rate lower than that 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 Gladewater 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). Seventy-seven percent of GISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 65 percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol
and tobacco use is lower. Only 41 percent of GISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to
use alcohol (46 percent statewide). Thirty-one* percent of Gladewater ISD students believe
that tobacco use is "very dangerous," a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (41
percent) (Fig. 13).