S


 
  




 

 S  



 

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 Hardin Independent School District (HISD). A total of 427 students
completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and drugs. Of
that number, 33 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 394.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

‡Sixty-five* percent of Hardin 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).2

‡Fourteen* percent of Hardin ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while 7* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

‡Seventy-six percent of Hardin ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 40 percent reported using alcohol during the past month
(Fig. 2).

‡Twelve percent of Hardin ISD students reported attending at least one class during the
past year while "drunk," and 16 percent of district 9th through 12th grade students
cccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc
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.

c
c
c 1
 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 27* percent of Hardin ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 6 percent (Fig. 2).

‡Thirty percent of Hardin ISD students reported using marijuana at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 17 percent said they had used marijuana during the past
month (Fig. 2).

‡Hardin ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (75 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program outside of
school (35* percent) or a counselor or program in school (35 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 Hardin ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide.

Sixty-five* percent of Hardin students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was
reported by 67* percent of district 7th and 8th graders, a rate higher than that reported by 7th and
8th graders statewide (46 percent). Sixty-four percent of HISD 9th through 12th graders reported
lifetime use of a tobacco product (60 percent statewide).

Thirty-two* percent of Hardin 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 HISD 7th and 8th grade students (20 percent statewide) and 36*
percent of district 9th through 12th grade students (27 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher
than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Sixty-one* percent of Hardin students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 28 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (22 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by students statewide.
Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 14* percent of district students, a rate
somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (7 percent). Daily use of
cigarettes was reported by 16* percent of district 9th through 12th grade students, a rate
somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (9 percent). Twenty-nine* percent of
cccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc
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.

c
c
c 2
HISD students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes, a rate higher than that
reported by their counterparts statewide (19 percent).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 35* percent of HISD students, a rate
higher than that reported by students statewide (16 percent). Twelve* percent of district students
said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month, a rate somewhat higher
than that reported by students statewide (6 percent). Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily
basis was reported by 7* percent of district students (2 percent statewide). Sixteen* percent of
HISD students said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco, compared to 5 percent
of students statewide.

Alcohol

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

Seventy-six percent of Hardin students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 72 percent of HISD
7th and 8th graders, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 7th and 8th graders statewide
(63 percent). Seventy-eight percent of district 9th through 12th graders reported lifetime alcohol
use (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Forty percent of Hardin ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month (39
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was reported by 35 percent of district 7th and
8th grade students (29 percent statewide) and 43 percent of HISD 9th through 12th grade students
(46 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Hardin students are beer (63 percent/59 percent
statewide) and wine coolers (63 percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty-eight percent of HISD
students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and 35 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 42
percent of HISD 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-one percent
of Hardin ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (39
percent statewide), and 26 percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average
when they drink (20 percent statewide).

c
c
c 3
Twelve percent of Hardin students reported attending at least one class during the past school year
while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Attending class while intoxicated was reported by 10
percent of HISD 7th and 8th graders (9 percent statewide) and 14 percent of district 9th through
12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

Sixteen percent of HISD 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.
Eighty-three* percent of Hardin ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students
statewide (77 percent). Forty-four percent of district students reported most or all of their close
friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide), and 43 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 HISD students (10
percent statewide).

Forty-two percent of Hardin students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide). Alcohol use at most or all parties was
reported by 20 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (19 percent statewide) and 56 percent of
HISD 9th through 12th graders (51 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Fifty percent of district students
responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (44
percent statewide). Fourteen* percent of HISD students said they get alcohol "from the store"
most of the time or always, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts
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 been in trouble because of conduct
or attitude problems. Fewer HISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported
having used alcohol during the past month (27 percent/26 percent statewide) than did district
students who said they had missed four or more days of school (46 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 28 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, 67* percent of Hardin students said
their parents strongly or mildly disapprove, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their peers
statewide (75 percent). Ten percent of district students said they "don't know" how their parents
c

c
c
c 4
feel about kids their age drinking beer (10 percent statewide), and 15 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. Between 1992 and 1994,
use of inhalants among students statewide decreased. Overall, Hardin ISD students are using
inhalants at rates somewhat similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Twenty-seven* percent of Hardin students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 19 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was
reported by 34* percent of district 7th and 8th graders, a rate higher than that reported by 7th and
8th graders statewide (22 percent). Twenty-two percent of HISD 9th through 12th graders
reported lifetime inhalant use (17 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Six percent of Hardin ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month inhalant use was reported by 9 percent of district 7th and 8th grade
students (7 percent statewide) and 5 percent of HISD 9th through 12th grade students (4 percent
statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Four percent of HISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent
statewide), and 8* percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school year
while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Nineteen* percent of HISD students said they had
used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes, a rate somewhat
higher than that reported by students statewide (12 percent).

The inhalant substance most frequently used by Hardin students was correction fluid/Liquid Paper
(18* percent/10 percent statewide). Fifteen* percent of HISD students reported inhaling gasoline
(6 percent statewide), 11* percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide),
10* percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent statewide), 9 percent said they had
inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), and 9 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other
inhalants" category (8 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Figs. 7a and 7b).

cccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc
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.

c
c
c 5
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 Hardin ISD, 31 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 24 percent of HISD students said they had used one or more
illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates similar to those reported by
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. Hardin students reported
average usage rates of 2.5 times in the past month and 5.7 times during their lifetimes.

Thirty percent of HISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a rate
somewhat similar to that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana
use was reported by 27* percent of Hardin 7th and 8th grade students, a rate higher than that
reported by 7th and 8th grade students statewide (17 percent). Thirty-one percent of district 9th
through 12th grade students reported lifetime marijuana use (31 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and
5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 17 percent of Hardin ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 17* percent of district 7th and 8th
graders, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 7th and 8th graders statewide (8 percent).
Seventeen percent of HISD 9th through 12th graders reported smoking marijuana in the past
month (14 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Fifteen* percent of HISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana, compared to 9 percent of students statewide. Attending class while
"stoned" was reported by 15* percent of Hardin 7th and 8th graders, a rate somewhat higher than
that reported by 7th and 8th graders statewide (7 percent). Fifteen percent of district 9th through
12th graders reporting having attended class while "stoned" (11 percent statewide) (Fig. 10).
Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 12 percent
of Hardin ISD 9th through 12th grade students (8 percent statewide).

Fifty-eight* percent of HISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain, a rate
higher than that reported by students statewide (38 percent). Twenty-two percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17 percent statewide). Six
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).

c
c
c 6
Eighteen percent of the Hardin 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 16 percent of district 7th and 8th grade
students, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 7th and 8th grade students statewide (9
percent). Nineteen percent of HISD 9th through 12th grade students reported marijuana and/or
other drug use at most or all parties (22 percent statewide).

Fewer Hardin ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used marijuana
during the past month (7 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who said they had
missed four or more days of school (20 percent/15 percent statewide). Seven percent of district
students who had not been in trouble with school officials reported using marijuana within the past
30 days (4 percent statewide). By contrast, 40 percent of district students who had been in trouble
with school officials on four or more days reported using marijuana during the past 30 days, a rate
somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (31 percent).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Hardin students reported a disapproval
rate of 82 percent (87 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students said they "don't know"
how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent statewide), while 6 percent
said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Hardin ISD students (11*
percent/7 percent statewide). Eight* percent of HISD students reported using downers (5 percent
statewide), 6 percent said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 4 percent said they
had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), 2 percent reported using crack (2 percent
statewide), 2 percent said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), and 3 percent reported
using ecstasy (3 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1).


S
SS S
 

Statewide, female students were less likely to have used drugs than were male students. There
were no significant differences by gender among HISD students with regard to the use of tobacco
products, alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, or other illicit substances.

Statewide, students making A and B grades reported lower drug use than did students making C,
D, and F grades. In the Hardin ISD, students reporting lower grades were somewhat more likely
to have smoked marijuana or used powdered cocaine and nearly twice as likely to have used an
inhalant than were those students making A and B grades. There were no other significant
differences by grade average among HISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products,
alcohol, or other illegal drugs.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. HISD students living in other family situations were
c

c
c
c 7
somewhat more likely to have used an inhalant or a downer, nearly twice as likely to have used an
upper, and over two times more likely to have smoked marijuana than were those district students
living in homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living
arrangement among Hardin ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, or
other illicit drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Hardin students said they would seek help from their friends (75 percent/74 percent statewide).
Fifty-seven percent of HISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend or relative (57
percent statewide), and 57 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 (35 percent/35
percent statewide) or a counselor or program outside of school (35* percent/45 percent statewide)
(Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 5 percent of Hardin students reported seeking help for
any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7
percent statewide).

Eighty-one percent of Hardin ISD students said they had obtained information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (79 percent statewide). Fifty-four*
percent of HISD students said "an invited school guest" was a source for information about drugs
and alcohol, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (46
percent). Fifty percent of district students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol
from a "health class" (46 percent statewide), while "an assembly program" was reported by 48
percent of district students as a source for this information (53 percent statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use of
specific substances. Ninety percent of Hardin students believe that crack use is "very dangerous"
(91 percent statewide), and 89 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very dangerous" (90
percent statewide). Seventy-four percent of HISD students believe that inhalant use is "very
dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 68 percent believe that marijuana use is "very dangerous"
(67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower.
Only 48 percent of HISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (46 percent
statewide), while 36 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (41 percent statewide)
(Fig. 13).

c
c
c 8