TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

HOUSTON ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1996, 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 Houston Independent School District (HISD). A total of 4359
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 322 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 4037.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-one* percent of Houston ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 21* percent said they had used tobacco during the
past month (Fig. 2).2

•Four* percent of Houston ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while 1* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Seventy-three percent of Houston ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 34* percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Nine* percent of Houston ISD 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" (Fig. 11).

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 18 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 5 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-nine* percent of HISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 14* percent said they had used marijuana during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Houston ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (62* percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school, such as
a teacher or nurse (37* percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless products)
among students statewide has increased slightly.3 Overall, the general use of tobacco products
among Houston ISD students is somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Fifty-one* percent of Houston students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime general tobacco use was lowest among district
7th graders (46 percent/41 percent statewide). Forty-eight* percent of Houston 12th graders (63
percent statewide), 53* percent of HISD 10th graders (60 percent statewide), and 53* percent of
district 11th graders (61 percent statewide) reported using a tobacco product at least once during
their lifetimes; rates lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Lifetime general
tobacco use was highest among district 9th grade students (55 percent/58 percent statewide).

Twenty-one* percent of Houston ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month, compared to 26 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco
use was lowest among HISD 7th grade students (18 percent/17 percent statewide). Nineteen*
percent of Houston 12th graders (34 percent statewide), 20* percent of HISD 10th graders (30
percent statewide), and 20* percent of district 11th graders (31 percent statewide) reported using
a tobacco product during the past month; rates lower than those reported by their counterparts
statewide. Past-month general tobacco use was highest among district 9th grade students (23*
percent), a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 9th grade students statewide (28 percent).

Fifty* percent of Houston students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (53 percent statewide), and 20* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (25 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by students statewide.
Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 4* percent of district students, compared to
8 percent of students statewide. Nineteen* percent of HISD students said most or all of their
close friends smoke cigarettes (21 percent statewide).
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 the Spring of 1996.

2
Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 11* percent of HISD students (16
percent statewide), while 3* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (5 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their peers
statewide. Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 1 percent of
district students (1 percent statewide), and 4* 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 Houston ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two
years ago. Overall, Houston ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat lower than
those reported by their peers statewide.

Seventy-three percent of Houston students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was lowest among HISD 7th
graders (62* percent/56 percent statewide) and Houston 8th graders (73* percent/68 percent
statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by 7th and 8th graders statewide. The
highest rate of lifetime alcohol use was reported among district 11th grade students (80
percent/82 percent statewide) and HISD 12th grade students (80 percent/85 percent statewide)
(Fig. 3).

Thirty-four* percent of Houston ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (38 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was lowest among HISD 7th
graders (27 percent/23 percent statewide) and highest among district 11th graders (40 percent/46
percent statewide). Thirty-four* percent of Houston 10th grade students (42 percent statewide)
and 39* percent of HISD 12th grade students (51 percent statewide) reported consuming alcohol
during the past month, rates lower than those reported by 10th and 12th grade students statewide
(Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Houston students are beer (52* percent/56
percent statewide) and wine coolers (52* percent/58 percent statewide). Thirty* percent of
HISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (33 percent statewide), and 28*
percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (31 percent statewide), rates somewhat
lower than those reported by students 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 35*
percent of HISD students (40 percent statewide), while 15* percent said they usually drink five
or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (18 percent statewide), rates
somewhat lower than those reported by their peers statewide. Thirty-four* percent of Houston
ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (37 percent

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statewide), while 14* percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average
when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Ten percent of Houston students reported attending at least one class during the past school year
while "drunk" (9 percent statewide). Attending class while intoxicated was reported by 7 percent
of HISD 12th graders (11 percent statewide). Thirteen* percent of district 8th graders reported
attending at least one class during the past year while intoxicated, a rate somewhat higher than
that reported by 8th graders statewide (9 percent) (Figs. 9a and 9b).

Nine* 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, compared to 15 percent of 9th
through 12th grade students statewide. The highest rates of driving while intoxicated were
reported by Houston 11th graders (12* percent/20 percent statewide) and HISD 12th graders
(13* percent/26 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by 11th and 12th graders
statewide. Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 2*
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.
Sixty-eight* percent of Houston ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students
statewide (75 percent). Thirty-five* percent of district students reported most or all of their
close friends drink alcohol (37 percent statewide), and 32* percent responded "from friends"
when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or always (39 percent statewide).
"Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported by 7* percent
of HISD students (9 percent statewide).

Thirty-two* percent of Houston students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide). The highest rates of alcohol use at most
or all parties were reported by district 10th graders (37* percent/48 percent statewide), HISD
11th graders (44* percent/55 percent statewide), and Houston 12th graders (44* percent/61
percent statewide); rates lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide (Figs. 13a and
13b). Forty-one percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain
alcohol most of the time or always (43 percent statewide), while 19* percent of HISD students
said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (17 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 HISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (20* percent/25 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (43 percent/44 percent
statewide). Fifty-nine percent of Houston ISD students who had experienced difficulties with
school officials on four or more days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days (62 percent
statewide). By contrast, only 23 percent of district students who had not experienced difficulties
with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days (25
percent statewide).

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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, 73* percent of Houston students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Fifteen* percent of
district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer
(9 percent statewide), and 8* percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (10
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 has stayed about the same. Overall, Houston ISD
students are using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Eighteen percent of Houston students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes
(20 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was highest among district 7th grade
students (24 percent/22 percent statewide) and Houston 8th grade students (24 percent/24
percent statewide). The lowest rate of lifetime inhalant use was reported by HISD 11th graders
(10* percent), a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 11th graders statewide (16 percent)
(Figs. 5a and 5b).

Five percent of Houston ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month inhalant use ranged from 2 percent among district 11th
grade students (2 percent statewide) to 9 percent among HISD 7th grade students (8 percent
statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Three percent of HISD 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 (4 percent statewide). Ten* percent of HISD students said they
had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12 percent
statewide).

The inhalant substance most frequently used by Houston students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (8* percent/9 percent statewide). Seven percent of district students reported inhaling
substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had inhaled
glue (5 percent statewide), 5* percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent
statewide), 4* percent reported inhaling gasoline (5 percent statewide), 4 percent reported
inhaling substances in the "other sprays" category (4 percent statewide), and 4* percent said they

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.

5
had inhaled paint thinner (5 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Figs. 7a and
7b).

Four percent of Houston ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having
used inhalants during the past month (4 percent statewide). Six percent of district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school reported using inhalants during the past month
(6 percent statewide). Three percent of HISD students who had not gotten into trouble with
school officials reported using inhalants within the past 30 days (3 percent statewide). By
contrast, 10 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

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 Houston ISD, 31* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 22* percent of HISD students said they had used one
or more illicit substances three or more times (25 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than
those reported by their counterparts statewide. Statewide, students who said they had used illicit
drugs reported using them an average of 2.2 times in the past 30 days and 6.4 times during their
lives. Houston students reported average usage rates of 1.8 times in the past month and 4.7
times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-nine* percent of HISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes
(31 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana use was lowest among Houston 7th graders
(19 percent/17 percent statewide) and highest among district 11th graders (34 percent/39 percent
statewide). Thirty* percent of Houston 10th grade students (36 percent statewide) and 30*
percent of HISD 12th grade students (41 percent statewide) reported smoking marijuana at least
once during their lifetimes, rates lower than those reported by 10th and 12th grade students
statewide (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 14* percent of Houston ISD students (16 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of past-month marijuana use ranged from 10 percent among
district 7th graders (9 percent statewide) to 18* percent among HISD 8th graders (14 percent
statewide). Twelve* percent of Houston 10th grade students (18 percent statewide) and 12*
percent of HISD 12th grade students (19 percent statewide) reported smoking marijuana at least
once during their lifetimes, rates somewhat lower than those reported by 10th and 12th grade
students statewide (Figs. 6a and 6b).

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Twelve percent of HISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (13 percent statewide). Attending class while stoned was reported by 7*
percent of Houston 12th graders, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 12th graders
statewide. Sixteen percent of Houston 9th grade students reported attending at least one class in
the past year while stoned (16 percent statewide) (Figs. 10a and 10b).

Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 7*
percent of Houston ISD 9th through 12th grade students, compared to 12 percent of 9th through
12th grade students statewide. Driving under the influence of drugs was highest among HISD
11th graders (10 percent/14 percent statewide). Eight percent of Houston 12th graders reported
driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year, a rate lower than that
reported by 12th graders statewide (17 percent).

Forty-eight* percent of HISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain,
compared to 53 percent of their peers statewide. Twenty-three percent of Houston students
reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (21 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 (6 percent statewide).

Twenty* percent of the Houston ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used
at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (23 percent statewide). The use
of marijuana and/or other drugs at most or all parties was highest among district 11th graders (29
percent/32 percent statewide). Twenty-three* percent of Houston 10th grade students (29
percent statewide) and 23* percent of HISD 12th grade students said that marijuana and/or other
drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (33 percent
statewide), rates lower than those reported by 10th and 12th grade students statewide.

Fewer Houston ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (7 percent/9 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (20 percent/20 percent statewide). Six percent
of HISD students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using marijuana
within the past 30 days (7 percent statewide). By contrast, 35 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 (38 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Houston students reported a
disapproval rate of 81* percent (85 percent statewide). Thirteen* percent of district students
said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent
statewide), while 3 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Houston ISD students. Six* percent of
HISD students said they had used hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 5* percent said they had
used powdered cocaine (7 percent statewide), 4 percent reported using uppers (8 percent

7
statewide), 4* percent reported using downers (6 percent statewide), and 4* percent reported
using ecstasy (5 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were somewhat less likely to have used drugs than were male
students. In the Houston ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have smoked
marijuana or used hallucinogens and over two times more likely to have used powdered cocaine
than were district female students. There were no other significant differences by gender among
HISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, 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 Houston ISD, students reporting lower grades were somewhat more
likely to have used a tobacco product or an inhalant, nearly two times more likely to have
smoked marijuana, and over two times more likely to have used powdered cocaine 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 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
somewhat 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
Houston ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, or other
illicit drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Houston students said they would seek help from their friends (62* percent), a rate lower than
that reported by students statewide (74 percent). Fifty-six percent of HISD students said they
would seek help from an adult friend or relative (58 percent statewide), and 56 percent said they
would turn to their parents (54 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help
for a drug or alcohol problem from another adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse (37*
percent), a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (32 percent) (Fig.
17). Since school began in the Fall, 9* percent of Houston students reported seeking help for
any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7
percent statewide).

Seventy-four percent of Houston ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (75 percent statewide). Fifty-two*
percent of HISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health
class," compared to 46 percent of students statewide. "An assembly program" was reported by
47* percent of district students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent
statewide), while 39 percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (38
percent statewide).

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The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Eighty-seven percent of Houston students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 86 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Seventy-seven percent of HISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (76 percent statewide), and 61 percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (60 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Forty-nine* percent of district students believe that tobacco use is "very
dangerous," a rate higher than that reported by students statewide(39 percent). Only 46 percent
of HISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).