TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

LOCKNEY 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 9 through 12 in the Lockney Independent School District (LISD). A total of 162
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 9 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 153.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

• Sixty-six percent of Lockney ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 28 percent said they had used tobacco during
the past month (Fig. 2).

• Nine percent of Lockney ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while 10* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.2

• Seventy-three percent of Lockney ISD students said they had used alcohol at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 29* percent reported using alcohol during
the past month (Fig. 2).

• Fourteen percent of Lockney ISD 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.

1
• Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 15 percent of Lockney ISD students (Fig.
1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 3 percent (Fig. 2).

• Twenty-one* percent of Lockney ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 5* percent said they had used marijuana during
the past month (Fig. 2).

• Lockney 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 9th through 12th grade students statewide has increased slightly.3 Overall, the general use
of tobacco products among Lockney ISD students, especially with regard to the smokeless
variety, is somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide.

Sixty-six percent of Lockney students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (60 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).4 Twenty-eight percent of Lockney ISD students said
they had used a tobacco product during the past month (30 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Sixty-four percent of Lockney students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (58 percent statewide), 27 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (28 percent statewide), and 9 percent reported smoking cigarettes on a daily basis (11
percent statewide). Twenty-one percent of district students said their close friends smoke
cigarettes (24 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 25 percent of LISD students (19
percent statewide), while 11 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
reported by 10* percent of district students, a rate higher than that reported by students
statewide (2 percent). Eleven percent of Lockney students said most or all of their close friends
use smokeless tobacco (6 percent statewide).

Alcohol
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.

4
Due to the small number of students surveyed in this district, no between-grade comparisons can be made.

2
Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Lockney ISD.
Alcohol use among 9th through 12th grade students statewide has decreased slightly from that
reported two years ago. Overall, Lockney ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates lower than
those reported by their peers statewide.

Seventy-three percent of Lockney students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (80 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Twenty-nine* percent of Lockney ISD students said
they had consumed alcohol during the past month, a rate considerably lower than that reported
by students statewide (43 percent) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Lockney students are beer (54 percent/63
percent statewide) and wine coolers (46* percent/66 percent statewide). Twenty-nine percent of
LISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (38 percent statewide), and 17*
percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (35 percent statewide), rates lower than
those reported by their peers 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 Lockney ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (43 percent statewide), while 29 percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (23 percent
statewide). Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 33* percent of LISD
students, compared to 45 percent of students statewide. Nineteen percent of district students
said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (21
percent statewide).

Eight percent of Lockney students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Fourteen percent of LISD students said that
they had driven a car after having "a good bit to drink" at least once during the past year (15
percent statewide). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was
reported by 3 percent of district 9th through 12th graders (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at parties.
Eighty-three percent of Lockney ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (83 percent statewide). Twenty-eight* percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol, a rate lower than that reported
by students statewide (45 percent). Forty-one percent of LISD students responded "from
friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or always (47 percent
statewide), and 9 percent reported "difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own
drinking (11 percent statewide).

Thirty-eight percent of Lockney students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year, compared to 49 percent of students statewide (Fig. 13). Thirty-
nine* percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol
most of the time or always (51 percent statewide), while 11* percent of LISD students said they

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get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (22 percent statewide), rates lower than
those reported by their counterparts 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 LISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (23 percent/30 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (31 percent/50 percent
statewide). Thirty-seven* percent of Lockney ISD students who had experienced difficulties
with school officials on four or more days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days (67
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 (30 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, 78 percent of Lockney students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide), and 11 percent said their
parents neither approve nor disapprove (13 percent statewide). Nine percent of district students
said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (7 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants5

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 9th through 12th grade students statewide stayed about the same.
Overall, Lockney ISD students are using inhalants at rates somewhat similar to those reported by
their counterparts statewide.

Fifteen percent of Lockney students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes
(18 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Three percent of Lockney ISD students said they had used
inhalants during the past month (3 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Three percent of LISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (2
percent statewide), and 5 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school
year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Eight percent of LISD students said they
had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (10 percent
statewide).

5
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.

4
The inhalant substance most frequently used by Lockney students was liquid/spray paint (10
percent/6 percent statewide). Seven percent of LISD students said they had inhaled correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (8 percent statewide), 5 percent reported inhaling gasoline (5 percent
statewide), 5 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (6 percent
statewide), and 4 percent said they had inhaled glue (4 percent statewide) at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 7).

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 9th through 12th grade students statewide has increased.
The use of marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased among 9th
through 12th graders statewide over the last two years.

In the Lockney ISD, 21* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (40 percent statewide), while 14* percent of LISD students said they had used one
or more illicit substances three or more times (30 percent statewide), rates lower than those
reported by their counterparts statewide. Statewide, students who said they had used illicit drugs
reported using them an average of 2.7 times in the past 30 days and 8.2 times during their lives.
Lockney students reported average usage rates of 0.5 times in the past month and 3.1 times
during their lifetimes.

Twenty-one* percent of LISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate lower than that reported by students statewide (37 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month marijuana
use was reported by 5* percent of Lockney ISD students, nearly a quarter of the rate reported by
students statewide (19 percent) (Fig. 2).

Four* percent of LISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (14 percent statewide) (Fig. 10), while driving under the influence of
drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 5* percent of Lockney ISD grade
students (12 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their peers statewide.

Forty-one* percent of LISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (64
percent statewide), and 8* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (25
percent statewide), rates considerably lower than those reported by students statewide. Five
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). Eight* percent of the Lockney ISD
students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they
attended during the school year, nearly a quarter of the rate reported by students statewide (29
percent).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Lockney students reported a
disapproval rate of 90 percent (86 percent statewide). Five percent of district students said they

5
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (6 percent statewide),
while 3 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Lockney ISD students. Six percent of
LISD students said they had used powdered cocaine (8 percent statewide), 3 percent reported
using crack (3 percent statewide), 2* percent reported using uppers (10 percent statewide), 1*
percent said they had used hallucinogens (10 percent statewide), 1* percent reported using
downers (7 percent statewide), 1 percent said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), and
1* percent reported using ecstasy (7 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 Lockney ISD, male students were nearly twice as likely to have smoked
marijuana and over three times more likely to have used powdered cocaine than were district
female students. In addition, Lockney male students were the only reported users of crack,
hallucinogens, uppers, downers, or ecstasy in the district. There were no other significant
differences by gender among LISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol,
inhalants, or steroids.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Lockney students said they would seek help from their friends (82 percent/78 percent
statewide). Sixty-one percent of LISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend
or relative (58 percent statewide), and 53 percent said they would turn to their parents (52
percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help for a drug or alcohol problem
from a counselor or program in school (31 percent/30 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school
began in the Fall, 5 percent of Lockney students reported seeking help for any problems
connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (6 percent
statewide).

Eighty-nine* percent of Lockney ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, compared to 73 percent of students
statewide. "An assembly program" was reported by 78* percent of district students as a source
for information about drugs and alcohol (40 percent statewide), while 71* percent said "an
invited school guest" was a source for this information (34 percent statewide), rates considerably
higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Fifty-three percent of LISD students
reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (47 percent
statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Eighty-eight percent of Lockney students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide), and 87 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Eighty-one percent of LISD students believe that inhalant

6
use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide). Eighty* percent of Lockney students believe
that marijuana use is "very dangerous," in contrast to the 54 percent reported by students
statewide. By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Fifty-five*
percent of LISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol, a rate higher than that
reported by students statewide (42 percent). Forty-two percent of Lockney ISD students believe
that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (34 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).