TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

CRANDALL ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1994, 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 Crandall Independent School District (CISD). A total of
444 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 28 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 416.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-three percent of Crandall ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 22 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Seven percent of CISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 5*
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.2

•Sixty-nine percent of Crandall ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 30* percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Five* percent of CISD students reported attending at least one class during the past
year while "drunk," and 15 percent of district 9th through 12th grade students

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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 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 13* percent of district students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 4 percent (Fig. 2).

•Fourteen* percent of CISD 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).

•Crandall ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (77 percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school, such as a
nurse or teacher (32 percent), or a counselor or program in school (32 percent)
(Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless
products) among students statewide has stayed much the same. Overall, the general use of
tobacco products among Crandall ISD students is somewhat similar to that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Fifty-three percent of Crandall students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was reported by 37 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 7th and 8th graders
statewide (46 percent). Sixty-one percent of CISD 9th through 12th graders reported using a
tobacco product at least once during their lifetimes (60 percent statewide).

Twenty-two percent of Crandall 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 12
percent of CISD 7th and 8th grade students, compared to 20 percent of 7th and 8th grade
students statewide. Twenty-eight percent of district 9th through 12th grade students reported
past-month use of a tobacco product (27 percent statewide).

Forty-eight percent of Crandall students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 17 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (22 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 7 percent of
district students (7 percent statewide). Daily use of cigarettes was reported by 2 percent of
Crandall 7th and 8th grade students (4 percent statewide) and 10 percent of district 9th through
12th grade students (9 percent statewide). Eleven* percent of CISD students said most or all of
their close friends smoke cigarettes, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students
statewide (19 percent).

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Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 30* percent of CISD students, a
rate higher than that reported by students statewide (17 percent). Ten* percent of Crandall ISD
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 5* percent of
district students (2 percent statewide), and 10* percent said most or all of their close friends use
smokeless tobacco (5 percent).

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Crandall ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years ago.
Overall, Crandall ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat similar to those reported
by their peers statewide.

Sixty-nine percent of Crandall students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 53 percent of
CISD 7th and 8th graders, a rate lower than that reported by 7th and 8th graders statewide (63
percent). Seventy-seven percent of district 9th through 12th graders reported lifetime alcohol
consumption (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty* percent of Crandall ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month, compared to 39 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was reported
by 19* percent of district 7th and 8th grade students (29 percent statewide) and 36* percent of
CISD 9th through 12th grade students (46 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by
their counterparts statewide (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Crandall students are beer (55 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (54 percent/61 percent statewide). Twenty-eight* percent
of CISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and
21* percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (34 percent statewide), rates 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. Thirty-four percent of Crandall ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 19 percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (20 percent
statewide). Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 33 percent of CISD
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).

Five* percent of Crandall students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Attending class while intoxicated was reported by 3
percent of CISD 7th and 8th graders (9 percent statewide) and 6 percent of district 9th through
12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

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Fifteen percent of CISD 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, the same rate reported by 9th
through 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. Seventy-one percent of Crandall ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain, compared to 77 percent of students statewide.
Twenty-seven* percent of district students reported most or all of their close friends drink
alcohol (40 percent statewide), and 29* percent responded "from friends" when asked where
they obtained alcohol most of the time or always (40 percent statewide), rates lower than those
reported by students statewide. "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own
drinking was reported by 7 percent of CISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty* percent of Crandall students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year, compared to 39 percent of students statewide. Alcohol use at
most or all parties was reported by 7* percent of district 7th and 8th graders (19 percent
statewide) and 43 percent of CISD 9th through 12th graders (51 percent statewide), rates lower
than those reported by their counterparts statewide (Fig. 12). Thirty-one* percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (44 percent statewide), while 13* percent of CISD students said they get alcohol "from
the store" most of the time or always (21 percent statewide), rates 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 gotten into trouble because of
conduct or attitude problems. Fewer CISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (19 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (33* percent/47 percent
statewide). Fifty-five* 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, compared
to 65 percent of students 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 (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 Crandall students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Six 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).

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Inhalants3

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 decreased. Overall, Crandall ISD students are using
inhalants at rates somewhat lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Thirteen* percent of Crandall students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 19 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was
reported by 15 percent of district 7th and 8th graders, a rate somewhat lower than that reported
by 7th and 8th graders statewide (22 percent). Thirteen percent of CISD 9th through 12th
graders reported lifetime inhalant use (17 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Four percent of Crandall ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current inhalant use was reported by 3 percent of district 7th and
8th grade students (7 percent statewide) and 4 percent of CISD 9th through 12th grade students
(4 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

One percent of CISD 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). Eight percent of CISD students said they had
used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12 percent
statewide).

The inhalant substances most frequently used by Crandall students were gasoline (8 percent /6
percent statewide) and correction fluid/Liquid Paper (7 percent/10 percent statewide). Five
percent of district students said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 5 percent said they
had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent statewide), and 5 percent reported inhaling substances in
the "other inhalants" category (8 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. 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.

3 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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In the Crandall ISD, 17* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 11* percent of CISD students said they had used
one or more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates lower than 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.
Crandall students reported average usage rates of 0.5 times in the past month and 1.9 times
during their lifetimes.

Fourteen* percent of CISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate lower than that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana use
was reported by 4* percent of Crandall 7th and 8th grade students (17 percent statewide) and
20* percent of district 9th through 12th grade students (31 percent), rates somewhat lower than
those reported by students statewide (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 4* percent of Crandall ISD students, compared to 12
percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Current marijuana use was reported by 2* percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (8 percent statewide) and 6* percent of CISD 9th through 12th
graders (14 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their peers
statewide (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Three* percent of CISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana, compared to 9 percent of students statewide. Attending class while
"stoned" was reported by 1 percent of Crandall 7th and 8th graders (7 percent statewide) and 5*
percent of district 9th through 12th graders (11 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than
those reported by their counterparts statewide (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 5 percent Crandall ISD 9th through 12th grade
students (8 percent statewide).

Thirty-two* percent of CISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 3* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide. Two percent of
district students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of
their own drug use (5 percent statewide).

Six* percent of Crandall 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 1 percent of
district 7th and 8th grade students (9 percent statewide) and 10* percent of CISD 9th through
12th grade students (22 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their peers
statewide.

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Crandall students reported a
disapproval rate of 94* percent, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide
(87 percent). Four percent of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel

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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 Crandall ISD students. Four percent of
CISD students reported using uppers (7 percent statewide), 4 percent said they had used
hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 2* percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide),
and 2 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5 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
Crandall ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used tobacco and nearly two
times more likely to have used inhalants or marijuana than were district female students. There
were no other significant differences by gender among CISD students with regard to the use of
alcohol 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 Crandall ISD, students reporting lower grades were somewhat more
likely to have used a tobacco product or uppers, nearly three times more likely to have used an
inhalant, and three times more likely to have used marijuana than were those students making A
and B grades. There were no other significant differences by grade average among CISD
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. CISD students living in other family situations were
nearly twice as likely to have used an inhalant or marijuana than were those district students
living in homes with two parents, and district students living in other family situations were the
only reported users of ecstasy in the district. There were no other significant differences by
living arrangement among Crandall ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol, or
other illicit drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Crandall students said they would seek help from their friends (77 percent/74
percent statewide). Sixty-one percent of CISD 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 nurse or teacher (32 percent/33 percent statewide), or a counselor or program in
school (32 percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 3 percent of
Crandall students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use
from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Sixty-nine* percent of Crandall ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, compared to 79 percent of students

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statewide. "An assembly program" was reported by 47 percent of district students as a source
for information about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide). Twenty-six* percent of CISD
students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (46 percent
statewide), while 24* percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for information about
drugs and alcohol (46 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-four percent of Crandall students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 93 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty-two* percent of district students believe that
marijuana use is "very dangerous," a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (67
percent statewide). Eighty percent of CISD students believe that inhalant use is "very
dangerous" (77 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco
use is lower. Only 45 percent of CISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol
(46 percent statewide). Thirty* percent of Crandall ISD students believe that tobacco use is
"very dangerous," a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (41 percent) (Fig. 13).