TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

LAMESA 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 8, 10, and 12 in the Lamesa Independent School District (LISD). A total of
372 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 21 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 351.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Seventy-one* percent of Lamesa ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 36* percent said they had used tobacco
during the past month (Fig. 2).2

•Thirteen percent of Lamesa ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while 1 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Seventy-nine percent of Lamesa ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 48 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Fourteen percent of Lamesa ISD students reported attending at least one class during
the past year while "drunk," and 32* percent of district 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."

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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•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 23 percent of Lamesa ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 2* percent (Fig. 2).

•Thirty-eight* percent of Lamesa ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 21* percent said they had used marijuana
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Lamesa ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (81 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in school
(29 percent) or a medical doctor (29 percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Between 1992 and 1994, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless
products) among students statewide overall stayed much the same.3 Overall, the general use of
tobacco products among Lamesa ISD students, especially with regard to cigarettes, is higher
than that reported by their counterparts statewide.

Seventy-one* percent of Lamesa students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 57 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was
reported by 62 percent of district 8th graders (52 percent statewide) and 74* percent of LISD
10th graders (60 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by 8th and 10th graders
statewide. Seventy-eight* percent of district 12th grade students said they had used a tobacco
product at least once during their lifetimes, a rate higher than that reported by their 12th grade
peers statewide (63 percent).

Thirty-six* percent of Lamesa ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month, compared to 26 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco
use was reported by 22 percent of LISD 8th grade students (23 percent statewide). Forty*
percent of district 10th graders (27 percent statewide) and 52* percent of LISD 12th graders (31
percent statewide) said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, rates higher than
those reported by 10th and 12th graders statewide.

Sixty-eight* percent of Lamesa students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide), and 34* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the
past month (24 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide.
Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 13 percent of district students (8 percent
statewide). The highest rates of daily cigarette use were reported by LISD 12th graders (20
percent/12 percent statewide) and district 10th graders (19* percent/10 percent statewide), rates
somewhat higher than those reported by 12th and 10th graders statewide. Thirty* percent of

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.

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Lamesa ISD students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes, compared to 21
percent of students statewide.

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 22 percent of LISD students (19
percent statewide), while 8 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), while 4 percent said most or all
of their close friends use smokeless tobacco (6 percent statewide).

Alcohol

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

Seventy-nine percent of Lamesa students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (78 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 70 percent of
LISD 8th graders (69 percent statewide) and 82 percent of district 10th graders (81 percent
statewide). Eighty-seven percent of LISD 12th grade students said they had consumed alcohol
at least once during their lifetimes (86 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Forty-eight percent of Lamesa ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month, compared to 42 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was
reported by 26 percent of district 8th grade students, a rate somewhat lower than that reported
by 8th grade students statewide (34 percent). Fifty-five percent of LISD 10th graders (45
percent statewide) and 67* percent of district 12th graders (52 percent statewide) said they had
consumed alcohol during the past month, rates higher than those reported by their 10th and 12th
grade counterparts statewide (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Lamesa students are beer (70 percent/63
percent statewide) and wine coolers (63 percent/64 percent statewide). Fifty-one* percent of
LISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis, a rate higher than that
reported by students statewide (40 percent). Thirty-five percent of district students said they
drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (36 percent statewide).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Fifty-four* percent of Lamesa ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (42 percent statewide), while 35* percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (22 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Past-year "binge drinking" of
wine coolers was reported by 48 percent of LISD students (43 percent statewide). Twenty-
seven* percent of district students said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on

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average when they drink, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (20
percent).

Fourteen percent of Lamesa students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Attending class while "drunk" was reported by 3*
percent of LISD 8th graders, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 8th graders statewide
(10 percent). Twenty percent of LISD 10th graders (11 percent statewide) and 22 percent of
district 12th graders (10 percent statewide) reported attending at least one class during the past
school year while "drunk," rates somewhat higher than those reported by 10th and 12th graders
statewide (Figs. 9a and 9b).

Thirty-two* percent of LISD 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, compared to 18 percent of 10th
and 12th grade students statewide. Driving while intoxicated was reported by 22* percent of
district 10th grade students (11 percent statewide) and 46* percent of Lamesa 12th grade
students (26 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide.
Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 7 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. Eighty-four percent of Lamesa ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (80 percent statewide). Fifty-three* percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (44 percent statewide),
and 54* percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the
time or always (44 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by students
statewide. "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported
by 11 percent of LISD students (10 percent statewide).

Fifty-four* percent of Lamesa students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year, compared to 44 percent of students statewide. Alcohol use at
most or all parties was reported by 25 percent of Lamesa 8th graders (24 percent statewide).
Seventy-two* percent of district 10th graders (52 percent statewide) and 81* percent of LISD
12th graders (62 percent statewide) reported alcohol use at most or all parties, rates higher than
those reported by 10th and 12th graders statewide (Fig. 12). Fifty-nine* percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or
always (47 percent statewide), while 14* percent of LISD students said they get alcohol "from
the store" most of the time or always (23 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 LISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (29 percent/29 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (49 percent/50 percent
statewide). Seventy 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 (66 percent

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statewide). By contrast, only 33 percent of district students who had not experienced
difficulties with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past
30 days (29 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, 72 percent of Lamesa students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Eight percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9
percent statewide), and 14 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

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 somewhat. Overall, Lamesa ISD
students are using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Twenty-three percent of Lamesa students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 21 percent of
district 8th graders (24 percent statewide) and 24 percent of LISD 10th graders (17 percent
statewide). Twenty-three percent of district 12th grade students said they had used inhalants at
least once during their lifetimes (15 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Two* percent of Lamesa ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month inhalant use was reported by 1* percent of district 8th
grade students, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 8th grade students statewide (8
percent). Three percent of LISD 10th graders (4 percent statewide) and 1 percent of district
12th graders (2 percent statewide) said they had used inhalants during the past month (Figs. 6a
and 6b).

Two percent of LISD 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). Fourteen percent of LISD 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 Lamesa students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (10 percent/10 percent statewide). Seven percent of district students reported inhaling
gasoline (6 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent
statewide), 7 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent
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.

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statewide), and 5 percent said they had inhaled glue (6 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 Lamesa ISD, 41* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (30 percent statewide), while 30* percent of LISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (21 percent statewide), rates higher than those
reported by their peers statewide. Statewide, students who said they had used illicit drugs
reported using them an average of 1.6 times in the past 30 days and 4.7 times during their lives.
Lamesa students reported average usage rates of 2.0 times in the past month and 5.9 times
during their lifetimes.

Thirty-eight* percent of LISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (28 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana
use was reported by 19 percent of Lamesa 8th grade students (21 percent statewide). Forty-
nine* percent of district 10th graders (30 percent statewide) and 52* percent of LISD 12th
graders (34 percent statewide) said they had used marijuana at least once during their lifetimes,
rates higher than those reported by 10th and 12th graders statewide (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 21* percent of Lamesa ISD students, compared to
13 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 8 percent
of district 8th graders (11 percent statewide). Thirty-one* percent of LISD 10th grade students
(14 percent statewide) and 29* percent of district 12th grade students (14 percent statewide)
said they had used marijuana during the past month, rates higher than those reported by their
10th and 12th grade counterparts statewide (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Nineteen* percent of LISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana, compared to 10 percent of students statewide (Fig. 10). Driving under
the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 20* percent of Lamesa
ISD 10th and 12th grade students (9 percent statewide). Twenty-three* percent of district 10th
graders reported driving under the influence of drugs, a rate higher than that reported by 10th
graders statewide (7 percent). Sixteen percent of LISD 12th graders said they had driven a car
while under the influence of drugs during the past year (12 percent statewide).

Sixty-three* percent of LISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (52
percent statewide), and 31* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Five percent of

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district students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of
their own drug use (5 percent statewide).

Twenty-nine* percent of the Lamesa 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 19 percent
of students statewide. Marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all parties was reported by 14
percent of district 8th graders (12 percent statewide). Forty-five* percent of Lamesa 10th
graders said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they
attended during the school year, a rate higher than that reported by 10th graders statewide (23
percent). Thirty-three percent of LISD 12th grade students reported marijuana and/or other
drug use at most or all parties, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 12th grade students
(24 percent).

Fewer Lamesa ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (3 percent/7 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (20 percent/16 percent statewide). Nine
percent of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (5 percent statewide). By contrast, 48 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 (33 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Lamesa students reported a
disapproval rate of 87 percent (88 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (7 percent
statewide), while 3 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Lamesa ISD students. Ten* percent of
LISD students said they had used powdered cocaine (6 percent statewide), 9 percent reported
using uppers (8 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had used hallucinogens (7 percent
statewide), 6 percent reported using ecstasy (3 percent statewide), 4 percent reported using
downers (5 percent statewide), 3 percent reported using crack (2 percent statewide), and 2
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
Lamesa ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have smoked marijuana, nearly two
times more likely to have used inhalants, over two times more likely to have used uppers, nearly
three times more likely to have used powdered cocaine, and over three times more likely to
have used hallucinogens than were district female students. There were no other significant
differences by gender among LISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol,
or other illicit substances.

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In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. LISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have smoked marijuana or used hallucinogens than were those district
students living in homes with two parents. On the other hand, LISD male students were the
only reported users of steroids in the district. There were no other significant differences by
living arrangement among Lamesa ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco or alcohol
products, inhalants, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Lamesa students said they would seek help from their friends (81 percent/76
percent statewide). Sixty-three percent of LISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 56 percent said they would turn to their
parents (52 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or
program in school (29 percent/33 percent statewide) or a medical doctor (29 percent/37 percent
statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 8 percent of Lamesa students reported
seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than
family or friends (6 percent statewide).

Ninety-one* percent of Lamesa 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 88* percent of district students as a source
for information about drugs and alcohol (54 percent statewide), while 78* percent said "an
invited school guest" was a source for this information (46 percent statewide), rates higher than
those reported by students statewide. Fifty-one percent of LISD students reported getting
information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (45 percent statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Eighty-five* percent of Lamesa students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 83* percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their peers
statewide. Seventy-four percent of LISD students believe that inhalant use is "very dangerous"
(77 percent statewide). Fifty-nine percent of Lamesa ISD students believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous," a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (66 percent).
By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 44 percent of
LISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (45 percent statewide), while 38
percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (38 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).