TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

MARION ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Fall 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 Marion Independent School District (MISD). A total of 409 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 393.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-eight percent of Marion ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 32* percent said they had used tobacco during the
past month (Fig. 2).2

•Seven percent of Marion ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while 4* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Seventy-four percent of Marion ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 38 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Five* percent of Marion ISD students reported attending at least one class during the
past year while "drunk," and 17 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.

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•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 16 percent of Marion ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 6 percent (Fig. 2).

•Nineteen* percent of Marion ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 7* percent said they had used marijuana
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Marion ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (76 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in school
(36 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 Marion ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Fifty-eight percent of Marion students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was reported by 45 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (46 percent statewide). Sixty-seven percent of MISD 9th through
12th graders reported lifetime tobacco use, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their
peers statewide (60 percent).

Thirty-two* percent of Marion ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (24 percent) (Fig.
2). Past-month general tobacco use was reported by 21 percent of MISD 7th and 8th grade
students (20 percent statewide). Thirty-nine* percent of district 9th through 12th grade students
reporting having used tobacco during the past month, a rate higher than that reported by 9th
through 12th grade students statewide (27 percent).

Fifty-three percent of Marion students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 25 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (24 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 7 percent of
district students (7 percent statewide). Eighteen percent of MISD students said most or all of
their close friends smoke cigarettes (18 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 27* percent of MISD students, a
rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (16 percent). Eleven* percent of district
students said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month (6 percent

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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statewide). Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 4* percent of
district students (2 percent statewide). Nine* percent of district students said most or all of their
close friends use smokeless tobacco, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students
statewide (15 percent).

Alcohol

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

Seventy-four percent of Marion students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, the same rate reported by students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was
reported by 59 percent of MISD 7th and 8th graders (63 percent statewide) and 84 percent of
district 9th through 12th graders (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-eight percent of Marion ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was reported by 22 percent of
district 7th and 8th grade students, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their
counterparts statewide (29 percent). Forty-nine percent of MISD 9th through 12th grade
students reported consuming alcohol in the past month (46 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Marion students are wine coolers (63
percent/61 percent statewide) and beer (62 percent/59 percent statewide). Thirty-four percent
of MISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and
29 percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (34 percent statewide).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 43
percent of MISD students (41 percent statewide), while 17 percent said they usually drink five
or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide). Forty-one
percent of Marion ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their
lifetimes (39 percent statewide), while 21 percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a
time on average when they drink (20 percent statewide).

Five* percent of Marion students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Attending class while intoxicated was reported by 4
percent of MISD 7th and 8th graders (9 percent statewide) and 5* percent of district 9th through
12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

Seventeen percent of MISD 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

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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. Seventy-five percent of Marion ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Thirty* percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol, a rate lower than that reported
by their peers statewide (40 percent). Thirty-six percent of district 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 MISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-seven percent of Marion students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide). Alcohol use at most or all parties was
reported by 8* percent of district 7th and 8th graders, a rate lower than that reported by their
counterparts statewide (19 percent). Fifty-six percent of MISD 9th through 12th graders said
alcohol was used at most or all parties they attended (51 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Forty-
four percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol
most of the time or always (44 percent statewide). Thirteen* percent of MISD students said
they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always, a rate somewhat lower than that
reported by students statewide (21 percent).

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 been in trouble because of
conduct or attitude problems. Fewer MISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (30 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (48 percent/47 percent
statewide). Seventy-eight* 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, a rate
higher than that reported by their peers statewide (65 percent). By contrast, only 29 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, 72 percent of Marion 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 16* 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
generic use. Some students responded positive to generic use but not specific inhalants.

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

Sixteen percent of Marion students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes
(19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 14 percent of district 7th
and 8th graders, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 7th and 8th graders statewide (22
percent). Eighteen percent of MISD 9th through 12th graders reported lifetime inhalant use (17
percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Six percent of Marion ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month inhalant use was reported by 8 percent of district 7th
and 8th grade students (7 percent statewide) and 5 percent of MISD 9th through 12th grade
students (4 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Two percent of MISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
percent statewide), and 4 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school
year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Nine percent of MISD 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 Marion students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (9 percent/10 percent statewide). Seven percent of MISD students said they had inhaled
liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent
statewide), 4 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent
statewide), 4 percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 4 percent reported
inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide), and 2 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other
sprays" category (4 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. 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 Marion ISD, 21* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their peers statewide (28 percent).
Fifteen percent of MISD students said they had used one or more illicit substances three or
more times (19 percent 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.

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Marion students reported average usage rates of 1.0 times in the past month and 3.3 times
during their lifetimes.

Nineteen* percent of MISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime
marijuana use was reported by 9* percent of Marion 7th and 8th grade students, a rate lower
than that reported by 7th and 8th grade students statewide (17 percent). Twenty-seven percent
of district 9th through 12th grade students reported lifetime marijuana use (31 percent
statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 7* percent of Marion ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 5 percent of district 7th and 8th
graders (8 percent statewide) and 9 percent of MISD 9th through 12th graders (14 percent
statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Four* percent of MISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide). Attending class while "stoned" was reported by 3
percent of Marion 7th and 8th graders (7 percent statewide). Five* percent of district 9th
through 12th graders reported having attended class while "stoned," a rate somewhat lower than
that reported by their peers statewide (11 percent) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of
drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 5 percent of Marion ISD 9th through
12th grade students (8 percent statewide).

Thirty-two* percent of MISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (38
percent statewide), and 10* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide.
Three 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).

Nine* percent of the Marion 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 somewhat lower than that
reported by students statewide (17 percent). Marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all
parties was reported by 4 percent of district 7th and 8th grade students (9 percent statewide).
Twelve* percent of MISD 9th through 12th grade students reported marijuana and/or other drug
use at most or all parties, a rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (22
percent).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Marion students reported a
disapproval rate of 90 percent (87 percent statewide). Five percent of district students said they
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent statewide),
while 4 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig.
15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Marion ISD students. Five percent of
MISD students said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 4* percent reported

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using uppers (7 percent statewide), 3 percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide), 2*
percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), 2 percent reported using
ecstasy (3 percent statewide), 1 percent reported using crack (2 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. There
were no significant differences by gender among Marion ISD students with regard to the use of
tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, 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. MISD students living in other family situations were
nearly twice as likely to have smoked marijuana than were those district students living in
homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement
among Marion ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, or
other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Marion students said they would seek help from their friends (76 percent/74
percent statewide). Sixty-one percent of MISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 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 (36 percent/35 percent statewide), or another adult in school, such as a
teacher or nurse (37 percent/33 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 6
percent of Marion students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or
drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Sixty-seven* percent of Marion ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, a rate lower than that reported by
their counterparts statewide (79 percent). "An assembly program" was reported by 46 percent
of district students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol, a rate somewhat lower
than that reported by their peers statewide (53 percent). Thirty-five* percent of district students
said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (46 percent statewide), and 30*
percent reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (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-one percent of Marion students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 90 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-seven percent of MISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 72 percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol

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and tobacco use is lower. Only 41 percent of MISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to
use alcohol (46 percent statewide). Twenty-eight* percent of Marion ISD students believe that
tobacco use is "very dangerous," a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (41
percent) (Fig. 13).