TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

ROBINSON 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 8, 10, and 12 in the Robinson Independent School District (RISD). A total of 376
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 16 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 360.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-five percent of Robinson ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 27 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

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

•Seventy-one percent of Robinson ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 42 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-one percent of Robinson ISD 10th and 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).

•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 14* percent of Robinson ISD students (Fig.
1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 4 percent (Fig. 2).2
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

1
•Nineteen* percent of Robinson ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 8* percent said they had used marijuana during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•Robinson ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (82 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in school
(31 percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless products)
among 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide has increased slightly.3 Overall, the general
use of tobacco products among Robinson ISD students is somewhat similar to that reported by
their counterparts statewide.

Fifty-five percent of Robinson students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (58 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime general tobacco use was reported by 45
percent of district 8th graders (52 percent statewide). Fifty-seven percent of Robinson 10th
graders (60 percent statewide) and 65 percent of RISD 12th graders (63 percent statewide) said
they had used a tobacco product at least once during their lifetimes.

Twenty-seven percent of Robinson ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month (28 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco use was reported by 17
percent of RISD 8th grade students (23 percent statewide). Thirty-one percent of district 12th
grade students (34 percent statewide) and 35 percent of Robinson 10th grade students (30
percent statewide) said they had used a tobacco product during the past month.

Fifty-two percent of Robinson students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (56 percent statewide), and 24 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (26 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 7 percent of
district students (9 percent statewide). Daily cigarette use was reported by 1 percent of
Robinson 8th graders (5 percent statewide), 10 percent of district 12th graders (14 percent
statewide), and 13 percent of RISD 10th graders (11 percent statewide). Seventeen percent of
Robinson students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (22 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 25* percent of RISD students, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (18 percent). Ten percent of

are not marked may be important, but should be treated with more caution than those that are statistically
significant.

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
district students said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month (6
percent statewide), while 2 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis
(2 percent statewide), and 8 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 Robinson ISD.
Alcohol use among 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide has decreased slightly from that
reported two years ago. Overall, Robinson ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat
similar to those reported by their peers statewide.

Seventy-one percent of Robinson students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (76 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol consumption was reported by 61
percent of district 8th graders (68 percent statewide). Seventy-five percent of Robinson 10th
graders (79 percent statewide) and 81 percent of RISD 12th graders (85 percent statewide) said
they had consumed alcohol at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 3).

Forty-two percent of Robinson ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (40 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was reported by 33 percent of
RISD 8th grade students (32 percent statewide) and 44 percent of Robinson 10th grade students
(42 percent statewide). Fifty-one percent of district 12th grade students said they had consumed
alcohol during the past month (51 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Robinson students are beer (55 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (61 percent/62 percent statewide). Thirty-one percent of
RISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (35 percent statewide), and 30
percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (32 percent statewide).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Thirty-seven percent of Robinson ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (40 percent statewide), while 21 percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (21 percent
statewide). Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 40 percent of RISD
students (41 percent statewide), while 20 percent said they usually drink five or more wine
coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Four* percent of Robinson students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk," compared to 10 percent of students statewide. Attending class while
intoxicated was reported by 1* percent of RISD 8th graders, a rate lower than that reported by
8th graders statewide (9 percent) (Figs. 9a and 9b). Twenty-one percent of RISD 10th and 12th
grade students said that they had driven a car after having "a good bit to drink" at least once
during the past year (18 percent statewide). Driving while intoxicated at least once during the
past year was reported by 30 percent of Robinson 12th grade students (26 percent statewide).

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Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 2 percent of
district 10th and 12th graders (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at parties.
Seventy-eight percent of Robinson ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (79 percent statewide). Thirty-three percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide), and 37
percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (42 percent statewide). "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own
drinking was reported by 5* percent of RISD students, half the rate reported by students
statewide (10 percent).

Thirty-eight percent of Robinson students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (41 percent statewide). Alcohol use at most or all parties was
reported by 7* percent of RISD 8th graders, a third of the rate reported by 8th graders statewide
(21 percent). Fifty-five percent of district 10th graders (48 percent statewide), and 62 percent of
Robinson 12th graders (61 percent statewide) said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year (Fig. 13). Forty percent of district students responded "at
parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (46 percent statewide),
while 14 percent of RISD students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or
always (19 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 RISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (33 percent/27 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (52 percent/47 percent
statewide). Seventy-five percent of the Robinson 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 27 percent of district students who had not experienced difficulties
with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days (27
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, 74 percent of Robinson students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Nine percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (8
percent statewide), and 14 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants4
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

4
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 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide has stayed about the same.
Overall, Robinson ISD students are using inhalants at rates somewhat similar to those reported
by their counterparts statewide.

Fourteen* percent of Robinson students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 11 percent of
district 12th graders (14 percent statewide) and 13 percent of Robinson 10th graders (18 percent
statewide). Sixteen percent of RISD 8th graders said they had used an inhalant at least once
during their lifetimes, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 8th graders statewide (24
percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Four percent of Robinson ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). One percent of RISD 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). Nine percent of
RISD students said they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their
lifetimes (11 percent statewide).

The inhalant substances most frequently used by Robinson students were liquid/spray paint (7
percent/7 percent statewide), correction fluid/Liquid Paper (6 percent/9 percent statewide), and
those in the "other inhalants" category (7 percent/8 percent statewide). Four percent of district
students said they had inhaled glue (5 percent statewide), 4 percent reported inhaling gasoline (5
percent statewide), and 4 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (5 percent statewide) at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 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. Over the last
two years, the use of illicit drugs among 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide has
increased. The use of marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased
among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders statewide over the last two years.

In the Robinson ISD, 21* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (36 percent statewide), while 15* percent of RISD students said they had used one
or more illicit substances three or more times (27 percent statewide), rates lower than those
reported by their counterparts statewide. Statewide, students who said they had used illicit drugs

generic use. Some students responded positive to generic use but not specific inhalants.

5
reported using them an average of 2.4 times in the past 30 days and 7.0 times during their lives.
Robinson students reported average usage rates of 1.1 times in the past month and 3.2 times
during their lifetimes.

Nineteen* percent of RISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (33 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime use
of marijuana was reported by 8* percent of district 8th graders (26 percent statewide) and 25*
percent of RISD 12th graders (41 percent statewide), rates considerably lower than those
reported by 8th and 12th graders statewide. Twenty-seven percent of Robinson 10th graders
said they had smoked marijuana at least once during their lifetimes (36 percent statewide) (Figs.
5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 8* percent of Robinson ISD students, less than half
the rate reported by students statewide (17 percent) (Fig. 2). Past-month marijuana use was
reported by 4* percent of RISD 8th grade students (14 percent statewide) and 10 percent of
Robinson 12th grade students (19 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their
peers statewide. Twelve percent of district 10th grade students said they had smoked marijuana
during the past month (18 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Six* percent of RISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana, in contrast to the 13 percent reported by students statewide. Attending
class while stoned was reported by 2* percent of Robinson ISD 8th graders (11 percent
statewide) and 7 percent of RISD 12th graders (13 percent statewide) (Fig. 10a and 10b).
Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 9 percent
of Robinson ISD 10th and 12th grade students (13 percent statewide). Driving while under the
influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 10 percent of Robinson 12th
grade students, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 12th grade students statewide (17
percent).

Thirty-nine* percent of RISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (56
percent statewide), and 10* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (22
percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide. Four percent of
district students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of
their own drug use (7 percent statewide). Eleven* percent of the Robinson ISD students said
that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the
school year, less than half the rate reported by students statewide (25 percent). The use of
marijuana and or other drugs at most or all parties was reported by 2* percent of RISD 8th
graders (15 percent statewide), 16* percent of Robinson 12th graders (33 percent statewide),
and 19 percent of district 10th graders (29 percent statewide).

Fewer Robinson ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (4 percent/9 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (15 percent/20 percent statewide). One percent
of Robinson 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

6
students who had gotten into trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using
marijuana during the past 30 days (39 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Robinson students reported a
disapproval rate of 92* percent (87 percent statewide). Five percent of district students said they
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (7 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 Robinson ISD students. Six percent of
RISD students reported using uppers (9 percent statewide), 4 percent reported using downers (6
percent statewide), 4 percent reported using ecstasy (6 percent statewide), 3* percent said they
had used hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 3* percent said they had used powdered cocaine (7
percent statewide), 3 percent reported using crack (3 percent statewide), and 3 percent said they
had used steroids (2 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 Robinson ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have smoked
marijuana than were district female students. On the other hand, RISD female students were
over two times more likely to have used downers than were their male counterparts in the
district. There were no other significant differences by gender among RISD 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. RISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco product, inhalants, or uppers, and nearly two times
more likely to have smoked marijuana or used downers than were those district students living in
homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement
among Robinson ISD students with regard to the use of alcohol or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Robinson students said they would seek help from their friends (82 percent/76 percent
statewide). Sixty-three percent of RISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend
or relative (58 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 (31 percent/33 percent statewide) or another adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse
(33 percent/31 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 3* percent of
Robinson students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use
from someone other than family or friends (6 percent statewide).

Sixty-seven percent of Robinson ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (73 percent statewide). Forty

7
percent of RISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health
class" (43 percent statewide). "An assembly program" was reported by 34* percent of district
students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 28*
percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (38 percent statewide),
rates lower than those reported by students statewide.

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-one percent of Robinson students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (89 percent statewide), and 91 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Eighty-one percent of RISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide). Seventy-five* percent of Robinson students
believe that marijuana use is "very dangerous," a rate considerably higher than that reported by
their peers statewide (58 percent). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use
is lower. Only 43 percent of RISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (43
percent statewide), while 32 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (36 percent
statewide) (Fig. 13).