TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

FORT HANCOCK 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 Fort Hancock Independent School District (FHISD). A
total of 168 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 3 surveys were excluded from analysis because the 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 165.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Forty-five percent of Fort Hancock ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 13* percent said they had used tobacco
during the past month (Fig. 2).2

•One* percent of Fort Hancock ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
and 1 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Seventy percent of Fort Hancock 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).

•Five percent of Fort Hancock ISD students reported attending at least one class during
the past year while "drunk," and 21 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.

1
•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 11* percent of Fort Hancock ISD students
(Fig. 1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 6 percent (Fig. 2).

•Fifteen* percent of Fort Hancock 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).

•Fort Hancock ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (66 percent) and least likely to consult a medical doctor (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 Fort Hancock ISD students is somewhat lower than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Forty-five percent of Fort Hancock students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). 4 Thirteen* percent of
Fort Hancock ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, a rate
lower than that reported by students statewide (24 percent) (Fig. 2).

Forty-three percent of Fort Hancock students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during
their lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 12* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during
the past month (22 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide.
Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 1* percent of district students, compared to
7 percent of their peers statewide. Five* percent of FHISD students said most or all of their
close friends smoke cigarettes, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (19
percent).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 20 percent of FHISD students (17
percent statewide), while 5 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 1 percent of district students (2 percent statewide), and 4 percent said most or all of
their close friends use smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide).

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.

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

2
Alcohol

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

Seventy percent of Fort Hancock students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Thirty-one percent of Fort Hancock ISD students said
they had consumed alcohol during the past month, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by
their counterparts statewide (39 percent) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Fort Hancock students are wine coolers (55
percent/61 percent statewide) and beer (53 percent/59 percent statewide). Twenty-eight percent
of FHISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide),
and 22* percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (34 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. Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 33
percent of FHISD students (41 percent statewide), while 13 percent said they usually drink five
or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide), rates
somewhat lower than those reported by students statewide. Thirty-one percent of Fort Hancock
ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during the past year, compared to 39
percent of students statewide. Twenty percent of district students said they usually drink five or
more beers at a time on average when they drink (20 percent statewide).

Five percent of Fort Hancock students reported attending at least one class during the past
school year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Twenty-one percent of FHISD 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 (15 percent statewide). Driving while intoxicated four or more
times during the past year was reported by 5 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. Sixty-two* percent of Fort Hancock ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or
liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain, a rate lower than that reported by students
statewide (77 percent). Thirty-two percent of district students reported most or all of their close
friends drink alcohol, compared to 40 percent of students statewide. Thirty-six percent of
FHISD 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 7 percent of FHISD students (10 percent statewide).

Twenty-four* percent of Fort Hancock students said alcohol was used at most or all of the
parties they attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 12), and 34 percent

3
responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (44
percent statewide). Eighteen percent of FHISD students said they get alcohol "from the store"
most of the time or always (21 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 FHISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (7* percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (41 percent/47 percent
statewide). Seventy-nine* 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 17* 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, 75 percent of Fort Hancock
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Seventeen
percent of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age
drinking beer (10 percent statewide), and 5 percent said their parents neither approve nor
disapprove (11 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. Between 1992 and
1994, use of inhalants among students statewide decreased. Overall, Fort Hancock ISD
students are using inhalants at rates somewhat lower than those reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Eleven* percent of Fort Hancock students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 19 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Six percent of Fort Hancock
ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

One percent of FHISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
percent statewide), and 1 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school
year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Four* percent of FHISD students said
they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes, a rate
somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (12 percent).

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
Five percent of district students reported inhaling correction fluid/Liquid Paper (10 percent
statewide), 4 percent reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide), 4 percent said they had
inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 2 percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent
statewide), and 2* percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8
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. 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 Fort Hancock ISD, 18* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once
during their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 7* percent of FHISD 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.
Fort Hancock students reported average usage rates of 0.0 times in the past month and 1.1 times
during their lifetimes.

Fifteen* percent of FHISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate lower than that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month marijuana
use was reported by 4* percent of Fort Hancock ISD students, compared to 12 percent of their
counterparts statewide (Fig. 2).

Three* percent of FHISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (9
percent) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was
reported by 3 percent of Fort Hancock ISD 9th through 12th grade students (8 percent
statewide).

Thirty-one* percent of FHISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 4* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide. One*
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). Two* percent of the Fort Hancock ISD
students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they
attended during the school year, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (17
percent).

None of the Fort Hancock ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having
used marijuana during the past month (6 percent statewide), while 7 percent who said they had

5
missed four or more days of school reported past-month marijuana use (15 percent statewide).
One percent of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported
using marijuana within the past 30 days (4 percent statewide). By contrast, 21 percent of
district students who had gotten into 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, Fort Hancock students reported a
disapproval rate of 81 percent (87 percent statewide). Fifteen* percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent
statewide), while 2 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Fort Hancock ISD students. Five percent
of FHISD students reported using uppers (7 percent statewide), 4 percent said they had used
powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), 3 percent reported using downers (5 percent
statewide), 1* percent said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), and 1 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 less likely to have used drugs than were male students. In the
Fort Hancock ISD, male students were nearly twice as likely to report inhalant use and nearly
three times as likely to report marijuana use than were district female students, and district
males were the only students to report steroid use. There were no other significant differences
by gender among FHISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, or other
illicit substances.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Fort Hancock students said they would seek help from their friends (66 percent),
compared to 74 percent of students statewide. Sixty percent of FHISD students said they would
seek help from their parents (54 percent statewide), and 54 percent said they would turn to an
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help
from a medical doctor (32 percent/38 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the
Fall, 2 percent of Fort Hancock students reported seeking help for any problems connected with
alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Eighty-seven percent of Fort Hancock 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 statewide. "An assembly program" was reported by 63 percent of district students as
a source for information about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide), while 61* percent said
"an invited school guest" was a source for this information (46 percent statewide). Fifty-six
percent of FHISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health
class" (46 percent statewide).

6
The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-four percent of Fort Hancock students believe that crack use is
"very dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 94 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is
"very dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty-seven* percent of FHISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 83* percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students
statewide. By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 56
percent of FHISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol, compared to 46
percent of students statewide. Forty-three percent of Fort Hancock ISD students believe that
tobacco use is "very dangerous" (41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).