TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

FRIONA 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 Friona Independent School District (FISD). A total of
453 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 18 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 435.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-four percent of Friona ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 24 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Three* percent of Friona ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while 2 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.2

•Sixty-seven* percent of Friona ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 31* percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Seven percent of Friona ISD students reported attending at least one class during the
past year while "drunk," and 22 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 19 percent of Friona ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 4 percent (Fig. 2).

•Thirteen* percent of Friona ISD 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).

•Friona ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (71 percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school, such as a
teacher or a nurse (32 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 Friona ISD students is somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Fifty-four percent of Friona students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was reported by 36 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (46 percent).
Sixty-five percent of FISD 9th through 12th graders reported lifetime use of tobacco products
(60 percent statewide).

Twenty-four percent of Friona ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month (24 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco use was reported by 13
percent of FISD 7th and 8th grade students, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their
counterparts statewide (20 percent). Thirty percent of district 9th through 12th grade students
reported general tobacco use within the past month (27 percent statewide).

Fifty-two percent of Friona students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 22 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (22 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 3* percent
of district students (7 percent statewide). Eleven* percent of FISD students said most or all of
their close friends smoke cigarettes, a rate somewhat lower than those reported by their
counterparts statewide (19 percent).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 22 percent of FISD students (17
percent statewide), and 8 percent 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

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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reported by 2 percent of Friona students (2 percent statewide). Five percent of FISD students
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 Friona ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students in 1994 was similar to that reported in 1992. Overall,
Friona ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat lower than those reported by their
peers statewide.

Sixty-seven* percent of Friona students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 74 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was
reported by 51* percent of FISD 7th and 8th graders, a rate lower than that reported by their
peers statewide (63 percent). Seventy-seven percent of district 9th through 12th graders
reported lifetime alcohol use (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-one percent of Friona ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month, compared to 39 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was
reported by 18* percent of district 7th and 8th grade students, a rate lower than that reported by
7th and 8th grade students statewide (29 percent). Thirty-nine percent of FISD 9th through
12th grade students reported consuming alcohol during the past month, a rate somewhat lower
than that reported by 9th through 12th grade students statewide (46 percent) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Friona students are beer (56 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (53* percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty-two percent of
FISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide).
Twenty* percent of district students said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly, a rate
lower than that reported by students statewide (34 percent).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Forty-one percent of Friona ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (39 percent statewide), while 22 percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (20 percent
statewide). Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 39 percent of FISD
students (41 percent statewide), while 18 percent said they usually drink five or more wine
coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Seven percent of Friona students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Attending class while intoxicated was reported by 5
percent of FISD 7th and 8th graders (9 percent statewide) and 8 percent of district 9th through
12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

Twenty-two percent of FISD 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

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that reported by their peers statewide (15 percent). Driving while intoxicated four or more
times during the past year was reported by 6 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-one percent of Friona 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, a rate somewhat lower
than that reported by their peers statewide (40 percent). Forty percent of Friona students
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 FISD students (10 percent statewide).

Forty-two percent of Friona 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 13 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (19 percent statewide). Fifty-eight percent
of FISD 9th through 12th graders reported alcohol use at most or all parties, a rate somewhat
higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (51 percent) (Fig. 12). Forty-two
percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of
the time or always (44 percent statewide). Ten* percent of FISD students said they get alcohol
"from the store" most of the time or always, a rate lower than that reported by students
statewide (21 percent).

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, 79 percent of Friona students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Eleven percent of
district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer
(10 percent statewide), and 9 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, Friona ISD students are
using inhalants at rates somewhat similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Nineteen percent of Friona students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes,
the same rate reported by students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 19
percent of district 7th and 8th graders (22 percent statewide) and 19 percent of FISD 9th
through 12th graders (17 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).
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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Four percent of Friona ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month inhalant use was reported by 8 percent of district 7th
and 8th grade students (7 percent statewide) and 2 percent of FISD 9th through 12th grade
students (4 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

One percent of FISD 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). Thirteen percent of FISD 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 Friona students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (13 percent/10 percent statewide). Nine percent of FISD students said they had inhaled
liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 8 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent
statewide), 7 percent reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had
inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 6 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other
inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), and 2 percent reported inhaling substances in the
"other sprays" category (4 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Figs. 7a and
7b).

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 Friona ISD, 18* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), and 11* percent of FISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates lower than 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. Friona
students reported average usage rates of 0.6 times in the past month and 1.9 times during their
lifetimes.

Thirteen* percent of FISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana
use was reported by 10 percent of Friona 7th and 8th grade students, a rate somewhat lower
than that reported by their counterparts statewide (17 percent). Fifteen* percent of district 9th
through 12th grade students reported lifetime marijuana use, a rate lower than that reported by
9th through 12th grade students statewide (31 percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

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Past-month marijuana use was reported by 4* percent of Friona ISD students, compared to 12
percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 4 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (8 percent statewide). Four* percent of FISD 9th through 12th
graders reported having used marijuana within the past month, a rate lower than that reported
by 9th through 12th graders statewide (14 percent) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Three* percent of FISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide
(9 percent). Attending class while "stoned" was reported by 6 percent of Friona 7th and 8th
graders (7 percent statewide). Two* percent of district 9th through 12th graders reported
attending class while "stoned" during the past year, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by
their peers statewide (11 percent) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at least once
during the past year was reported by 3* percent of Friona ISD 9th through 12th grade students
(8 percent statewide).

Twenty-two* percent of FISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (38
percent statewide), and 2* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Two*
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).

Four* percent of the Friona ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at
most or all of the parties they attended during the school year, compared to 17 percent of
students statewide. Marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all parties was reported by 5
percent of district 7th and 8th grade students (9 percent statewide). Four* percent of FISD 9th
through 12th grade students reported marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all parties, a
rate lower than that reported by 9th through 12th grade students statewide (22 percent).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Friona students reported a
disapproval rate of 90 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 1* percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Friona ISD students. Eight percent of
FISD students said they had used uppers (7 percent statewide), 4 percent reported using
downers (5 percent statewide), 4 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent
statewide), 3* percent said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 1 percent
reported using crack (2 percent statewide), 1 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

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Statewide, female students were less likely to have used drugs than were male students. In the
Friona ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco product and over
two times more likely to have smoked marijuana than were district female students. In
addition, FISD male students were the only reported users of crack or ecstasy in the district.
There were no significant differences by gender among FISD students with regard to the use of
alcohol, inhalants, or other illicit substances.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Friona students said they would seek help from their friends (71 percent/74
percent statewide). Fifty-eight percent of FISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 58 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 (32 percent/33 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school
began in the Fall, 6 percent of Friona students reported seeking help for any problems
connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent
statewide).

Ninety-two* percent of Friona ISD students said they had obtained information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, compared to 79 percent of students
statewide. Seventy-nine* percent of district students said "an invited school guest" was a source
for information about drugs and alcohol (46 percent statewide), while "an assembly program"
was reported by 78* percent of district students as a source for this information (53 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Forty-seven percent
of FISD 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-two percent of Friona 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-five* percent of district students believe that
marijuana use is "very dangerous," a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (67
percent). Seventy-eight percent of FISD students believe that inhalant use is "very dangerous"
(77 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower.
Only 51 percent of FISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (46 percent
statewide), while 43 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (41 percent statewide)
(Fig. 13).