TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

SPRING HILL 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 Spring Hill Independent School District (SHISD). A
total of 627 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 32 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 595.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-nine percent of Spring Hill 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

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

•Sixty-six* percent of Spring Hill ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 37 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Six* percent of Spring Hill ISD students reported attending at least one class during the
past year while "drunk," and 22* 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.

1
 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 22 percent of Spring Hill ISD students (Fig.
1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 7 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-four percent of Spring Hill 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).

•Spring Hill ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (82* percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school,
such as a nurse or teacher (27 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 Spring Hill ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Fifty-nine percent of Spring Hill students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was reported by 48 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (46 percent statewide). Sixty-six percent of SHISD 9th through
12th graders reported lifetime tobacco use, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their
peers statewide (60 percent).

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

Fifty-six percent of Spring Hill students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 29* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the
past month (24 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 16*
percent of district students, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (7
percent). Twenty-seven* percent of SHISD students said most or all of their close friends
smoke cigarettes, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (18
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.

2
Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 26* percent of SHISD students, a
rate higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (16 percent). Eight percent of
district 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). Six percent of district students said most or all
of their close friends use smokeless tobacco, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their
peers statewide (15 percent).

Alcohol

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

Sixty-six* percent of Spring Hill 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 52* percent of SHISD 7th and 8th graders, a rate lower than that reported by
students statewide (63 percent). Seventy-seven percent of district 9th through 12th graders
reported lifetime alcohol use (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-seven percent of Spring Hill 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 46 percent of SHISD 9th
through 12th grade students (46 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Spring Hill students are beer (56 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (54* percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty-four percent of
SHISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and
29 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 38
percent of SHISD students (41 percent statewide), while 19 percent said they usually drink five
or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide). Thirty-six
percent of Spring Hill ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their
lifetimes (39 percent statewide), while 21 percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a
time on average when they drink (20 percent statewide).

Six* percent of Spring Hill 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 SHISD 7th and 8th graders (9 percent statewide) and 6 percent of district 9th through
12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

3
Twenty-two* percent of SHISD 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
that reported by 9th through 12th grade students 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-nine percent of Spring Hill ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or
liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Thirty-seven percent
of district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent
statewide), and 39 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 SHISD students (10 percent
statewide).

Thirty-nine percent of Spring Hill students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year, the same rate reported by students statewide. Alcohol use
at most or all parties was reported by 10* percent of district 7th and 8th graders, a rate
somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (19 percent). Fifty-eight
percent of SHISD 9th through 12th graders said alcohol was used at most or all parties, a rate
somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (51 percent) (Fig. 12). Thirty-six*
percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of
the time or always (44 percent statewide), while 13* percent of SHISD students said they get
alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (21 percent statewide), rates somewhat
lower than those reported by students 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 been in trouble because of
conduct or attitude problems. Fewer SHISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (21 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (45 percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-eight 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 25 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, 80* percent of Spring Hill
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Seven percent
of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking
beer (10 percent statewide), and 11 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove
(11 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

4
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, Spring Hill ISD students
are using inhalants at rates somewhat similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Twenty-two percent of Spring Hill students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 24 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (22 percent statewide) and 21 percent of SHISD 9th through 12th
graders (17 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Seven percent of Spring Hill 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 6 percent of SHISD 9th through 12th grade
students (4 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Two percent of SHISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
percent statewide), and 6 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school
year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Fourteen percent of SHISD 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 Spring Hill students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (12 percent/10 percent statewide). Nine* percent of SHISD students reported inhaling
gasoline (6 percent statewide), 8 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants"
category (8 percent statewide), 8 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent
statewide), 7 percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), and 6 percent said they
had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Figs. 7a
and 7b).

Fewer Spring Hill ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
inhalants during the past month (3 percent/3 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (9 percent/6 percent statewide). Three percent
of district students who had not been in trouble with school officials reported using inhalants
within the past 30 days (2 percent statewide). By contrast, 24 percent of district students who
had been in trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using inhalants during
the past 30 days, a rate higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (11 percent).

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.

5
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 Spring Hill ISD, 27 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 19 percent of SHISD 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.
Spring Hill students reported average usage rates of 1.3 times in the past month and 3.9 times
during their lifetimes.

Twenty-four percent of SHISD 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 15 percent of Spring Hill 7th and 8th grade students (17 percent
statewide) and 30 percent of district 9th through 12th grade students (31 percent statewide)
(Figs. 5a and 5b).

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

Eight percent of SHISD 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 8
percent of Spring Hill 7th and 8th graders (7 percent statewide) and 7 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 10 percent of Spring Hill ISD 9th through 12th
grade students (8 percent statewide).

Forty-seven percent of SHISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (38 percent). Twelve* percent
of district students reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17 percent
statewide). Five 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).

Thirteen percent of the Spring Hill 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 6 percent of district 7th
and 8th grade students (9 percent statewide) and 18 percent of SHISD 9th through 12th grade
students (22 percent statewide).

6
Fewer Spring Hill ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (3 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (16 percent/15 percent statewide). Three
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, 34 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 (31 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Spring Hill students reported a
disapproval rate of 91* percent (87 percent statewide). Five 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).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Spring Hill ISD students (9
percent/7 percent statewide). Six percent of SHISD 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 said they had used steroids (2
percent statewide), 3 percent reported using ecstasy (3 percent statewide), and 2 percent
reported using crack (2 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
Spring Hill ISD, male students are somewhat more likely to have smoked marijuana than were
SHISD female students. There were no significant differences by gender among SHISD
students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, 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. SHISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have smoked marijuana and over two times more likely to have used
downers than were those district students living in homes with two parents. There were no
other significant differences by living arrangement among Spring Hill 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 Spring Hill students (82* percent) said they would seek help from their friends, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (74 percent). Fifty-eight
percent of SHISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend or relative (57
percent statewide), and 55 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 (27* percent/33 percent statewide), or a counselor or program in school (30 percent/35
percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 4 percent of Spring Hill students

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

Ninety-one* percent of Spring Hill ISD students said they had obtained information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, a rate higher than that reported
by their counterparts statewide (79 percent). Seventy-four* 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 71* percent of district students as a
source for this information (53 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students
statewide. Forty percent of district 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 percent of Spring Hill 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* percent of SHISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 61 percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (67 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their
peers statewide. By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only
41 percent of SHISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (46 percent
statewide). Twenty-eight* percent of district students believe that tobacco use is "very
dangerous," a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (41 percent) (Fig. 13).