TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

SAN ANTONIO 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 7 through 12 in the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD). A total of 2254
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 136 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 2118.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-three percent of San Antonio ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 20* percent said they had used tobacco during
the past month (Fig. 2).2

•Three* percent of San Antonio ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while none of the students reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily
basis.

•Seventy-six* percent of San Antonio 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).

•Eleven* percent of San Antonio ISD 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"
(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.

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•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 18 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 5 percent (Fig. 2).

•Forty* percent of SAISD students reported using marijuana at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 19* percent said they had used marijuana during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•San Antonio 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 (42*
percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless products)
among students statewide has increased slightly.3 Overall, the general use of tobacco products
among San Antonio ISD students is somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Fifty-three percent of San Antonio students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime use of a tobacco product
ranged from a low of 43 percent among district 7th graders (41 percent statewide) to a high of
59 percent among San Antonio 10th graders (60 percent statewide). Fifty* percent of SAISD
12th grade students reported lifetime general tobacco use, a rate lower than that reported by 12th
grade students statewide (63 percent).

Twenty* percent of San Antonio 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 15* percent of SAISD 11th grade students, less than half the rate reported
by 11th grade students statewide (31 percent). Twenty* percent of San Antonio 9th graders (28
percent statewide) and 22* percent of SAISD 10th graders (30 percent statewide) reported using
a tobacco product during the past month, rates lower than those reported by 9th and 10th
graders statewide. Past-month use of a tobacco product was highest among district 12th graders
(27 percent/34 percent statewide).

Fifty-two percent of San Antonio students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (53 percent statewide). Nineteen* percent of SAISD students said they had smoked
cigarettes during the past month, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide
(25 percent). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 3* percent of district students
(8 percent statewide). Daily cigarette use was reported by 1* percent of San Antonio ISD 11th

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.

2
graders, compared to 12 percent of 11th graders statewide. Seventeen* percent of SAISD
students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (21 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 9* percent of SAISD students (16
percent statewide), while 2* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (5 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their peers
statewide. None of the district students reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily
basis (1 percent statewide), while 3* percent said most or all of their close friends use smokeless
tobacco (5 percent statewide).

Alcohol

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

Seventy-six* percent of San Antonio students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime alcohol use ranged from a
low among SAISD 7th graders (59 percent/56 percent statewide) to a high among district 11th
graders (88 percent/82 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-eight percent of San Antonio ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (38 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was lowest among SAISD 7th
graders (24 percent/23 percent statewide) and highest among district 12th graders (55 percent/51
percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by San Antonio students are wine coolers (64*
percent/58 percent statewide) and beer (52* percent/56 percent statewide). Thirty-eight*
percent of district students said they drink wine coolers on a weekly or monthly basis, a rate
somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (31 percent). Thirty percent of SAISD
students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (33 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 42
percent of SAISD students (40 percent statewide), while 23* percent said they usually drink five
or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (18 percent statewide). Thirty-four*
percent of San Antonio ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their
lifetimes (37 percent statewide), while 14* percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a
time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those
reported by beer-drinking students statewide.

Thirteen* percent of San Antonio students reported attending at least one class during the past
school year while "drunk" (9 percent statewide). Fourteen* percent of SAISD 7th graders

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reported attending class while intoxicated, twice the rate reported by 7th graders statewide (7
percent) (Figs. 9a and 9b).

Eleven* percent of SAISD 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 was reported by 13* percent of San Antonio 12th grade students, half the rate
reported by their 12th grade counterparts statewide (26 percent). 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.
Seventy* percent of San Antonio ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide). Thirty-eight percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (37 percent statewide), and 38
percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (39 percent statewide). "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own
drinking was reported by 8 percent of SAISD students (9 percent statewide).

Thirty-eight percent of San Antonio students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide). The highest rate of alcohol use at
most or all parties was reported by SAISD 12th graders (62 percent/61 percent statewide) (Figs.
13a and 13b). Forty-five percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where
they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (43 percent statewide), while 17 percent of
SAISD students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (17 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 SAISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (24 percent/25 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (46 percent/44 percent
statewide). Fifty-seven percent of San Antonio ISD students who had experienced difficulties
with school officials on four or more days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days (62
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 (25 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, 70* percent of San Antonio
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove, compared to 76 percent of students
statewide. Fifteen* percent of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel
about kids their age drinking beer (9 percent statewide), and 10 percent said their parents neither
approve nor disapprove (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

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Inhalants4

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 has stayed about the same. Overall, San Antonio ISD
students are using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Eighteen percent of San Antonio students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (20 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime inhalant use ranged from a low
among district 12th grade students (12 percent/14 percent statewide) to a high among SAISD
7th grade students (23 percent/22 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Five percent of San Antonio ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Three percent of SAISD students reported most or all of their close
friends use inhalants (3 percent statewide), and 5 percent said they had attended at least one class
during the past school year while "high" on inhalants (4 percent statewide). Eleven percent of
SAISD 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 San Antonio students were correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (8 percent/9 percent statewide), liquid/spray paint (8 percent/7 percent
statewide), and those in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent/8 percent statewide). Five
percent of district students said they had inhaled glue (5 percent statewide), 5 percent said they
had inhaled paint thinner (5 percent statewide), 4 percent reported inhaling gasoline (5 percent
statewide), and 4 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other sprays" category (4 percent
statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Figs. 7a and 7b).

Fewer San Antonio ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
inhalants during the past month (3 percent/4 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (6 percent/6 percent statewide). Three percent
of SAISD students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using inhalants
within the past 30 days (3 percent statewide). By contrast, 9 percent of district students who had
gotten into trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using inhalants during the
past 30 days (11 percent statewide).

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,

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.

5
the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased among students statewide over the
last two years.

In the San Antonio ISD, 41* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 31* percent of SAISD students said they had used
one or more illicit substances three or more times (25 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher
than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Statewide, students who said they had used
illicit drugs reported using them an average of 2.2 times in the past 30 days and 6.4 times during
their lives. San Antonio students reported average usage rates of 2.4 times in the past month and
6.8 times during their lifetimes.

Forty* percent of SAISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a rate
higher than that reported by students statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana use was
lowest among San Antonio 7th graders (23 percent), a rate somewhat higher than that reported
by 7th graders statewide (17 percent). Forty* percent of district 8th grade students (26 percent
statewide), 47* percent of SAISD 9th grade students (35 percent statewide), and 47* percent of
San Antonio 10th grade students (36 percent statewide) reported lifetime marijuana use; rates
higher than those reported by their peers statewide (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 19* percent of San Antonio ISD students (16 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of past-month marijuana use were lowest among district 7th
graders (13 percent/9 percent statewide) and SAISD 12th graders (13 percent/19 percent
statewide). Twenty-three percent of San Antonio 9th grade students (19 percent statewide) and
23 percent of SAISD 10th grade students (18 percent statewide) reported smoking marijuana
during the past month (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Twenty-one* percent of SAISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year
while "stoned" on marijuana, compared to 13 percent of students statewide. Attending class
while stoned was reported by 17* percent of San Antonio 7th graders (7 percent statewide), 19*
percent of SAISD 8th graders (11 percent statewide), and 28* percent of district 9th graders (16
percent statewide); rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide (Figs. 10a
and 10b).

Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 12
percent of San Antonio ISD 9th through 12th grade students (12 percent statewide). Driving
under the influence of drugs was highest among SAISD 12th graders (16 percent/17 percent
statewide).

Fifty-six* percent of SAISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53
percent statewide). Thirty-two* percent of San Antonio students reported most or all of their
close friends use marijuana, compared to 21 percent of students statewide. Seven percent of
district students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of
their own drug use (6 percent statewide).

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Twenty-nine* percent of the San Antonio ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs
were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (23 percent
statewide). The use of marijuana and/or other drugs at most or all parties was reported by 14*
percent of district 7th graders (8 percent statewide), 25* percent of San Antonio 8th graders (15
percent statewide), and 35* percent of SAISD 9th graders (25 percent statewide); rates higher
than those reported by their peers statewide.

Fewer San Antonio ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (10 percent/9 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (23 percent/20 percent statewide). Seven
percent of SAISD students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (7 percent statewide). By contrast, 38 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 (38 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, San Antonio students reported a
disapproval rate of 78* percent, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide
(85 percent). Fourteen* percent of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel
about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent statewide), while 5 percent said their parents
neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Powdered cocaine is the next most frequently used illicit substance among San Antonio ISD
students (9* percent/7 percent statewide). Six* percent of SAISD students reported using
uppers (8 percent statewide), 5* percent said they had used hallucinogens (8 percent statewide),
5 percent reported using downers (6 percent statewide), and 3* percent reported using ecstasy (5
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 San Antonio ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used
powdered cocaine or uppers than were district female students. There were no other significant
differences by gender among SAISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products,
alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, 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 San Antonio ISD, students reporting lower grades were somewhat more
likely to have used inhalants, marijuana, or crack and nearly two times more likely to have used
powdered cocaine, hallucinogens, or downers than those students making A and B grades. There
were no other significant differences by grade average among SAISD students with regard to the
use of tobacco products, alcohol, uppers, steroids, or ecstasy.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. SAISD students living in other family situations were

7
somewhat more 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 San
Antonio 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 San Antonio students said they would seek help from their friends (66* percent), a rate lower
than that reported by students statewide (74 percent). Sixty percent of SAISD 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 (54 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help
for a drug or alcohol problem from a medical doctor (42* percent/38 percent statewide), another
adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse (43* percent/32 percent statewide), or a counselor or
program in school (44* percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall,
10* percent of San Antonio students reported seeking help for any problems connected with
alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Eighty-one* percent of San Antonio ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, compared to 75 percent of
students statewide. "An assembly program" was reported by 61* percent of district students as a
source for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 54* percent
reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (46 percent
statewide), and 51* percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (38
percent statewide); rates higher than those reported by students statewide.

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Eighty-six* percent of San Antonio students believe that crack use is
"very dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 84* percent believe that powdered cocaine use is
"very dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Seventy-six percent of SAISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (76 percent statewide). Fifty-three* percent of San Antonio ISD
students believe that marijuana use is "very dangerous," a rate somewhat lower than that
reported by students statewide (60 percent). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Less than half (48* percent) of district students believe that tobacco use is
"very dangerous," a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (39 percent). Forty-
seven percent of SAISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44 percent
statewide) (Fig. 13).