Freestone County - Wortham Isd - 1996 Texas School Survey Of Drug And Alcohol Use
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TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE WORTHAM 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 Wortham Independent School District (WISD). A total of 177 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 7 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 170.1 Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that: •
Sixty percent of Wortham ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 31 percent said they had used tobacco during the past month (Fig. 2).
•
Eleven percent of Wortham ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 6* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.2
•
Seventy-one percent of Wortham 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).
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
•
Twenty-five percent of Wortham 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).
•
Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 18 percent of Wortham students (Fig. 1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 4 percent (Fig. 2).
•
Thirty percent of Wortham ISD students reported using marijuana at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 13 percent said they had used marijuana during the past month (Fig. 2).
•
Wortham ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol problem (69 percent) and least likely to consult a school counselor (24 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 Wortham ISD students, especially with regard to the smokeless variety, is somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide. Sixty percent of Wortham students reported general tobacco use at least once during their lifetimes, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (55 percent) (Fig. 1). 4 Thirty-one percent of Wortham ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, compared to 26 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Fifty-six percent of Wortham students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their lifetimes (53 percent statewide), and 29 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month (25 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 11 percent of district students (8 percent statewide). Twenty-seven percent of Wortham students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (21 percent). Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 30* percent of WISD students (16 percent statewide), while 14* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month (5 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 6* percent of district students (1 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. 4
Due to the small number of students surveyed in this district, no between-grade comparisons can be made.
2
percent statewide), and 12* percent said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Alcohol Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Wortham ISD. Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two years ago. Overall, Wortham ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates similar to those reported by their peers statewide. Seventy-one percent of Wortham students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Thirty-eight percent of Wortham ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month (38 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Wortham students are wine coolers (60 percent/58 percent statewide) and beer (57 percent/56 percent statewide). Thirty-six percent of WISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (33 percent statewide), and 29 percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (31 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 38 percent of WISD students (40 percent statewide), while 22 percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (18 percent statewide). Thirty-seven percent of Wortham ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (37 percent statewide). Twenty-four percent of district students said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (19 percent). Fourteen percent of Wortham students reported attending at least one class during the past school year while "drunk" (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Twenty-five percent of WISD 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, a rate higher than that reported by 9th through 12th grade students statewide (15 percent). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 9 percent of district 9th through 12th graders, more than twice the rate reported by their counterparts statewide (4 percent) (Fig. 11). Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at parties. Seventy-three percent of Wortham 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 41 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 11 percent of WISD students (9 percent statewide).
3
Forty percent of Wortham students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide) (Fig. 13). Thirty-nine percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (43 percent statewide), while 14 percent of WISD 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 WISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used alcohol during the past month (22 percent/25 percent statewide) than did district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (45 percent/44 percent statewide). Forty-seven percent of the Wortham students who had experienced difficulties with school officials on four or more days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (62 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 (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, 77 percent of Wortham students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Ten percent of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9 percent statewide), and 11 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (10 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. Over the last two years, use of inhalants among students statewide has stayed about the same. Overall, Wortham ISD students are using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide. Eighteen percent of Wortham students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes (20 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Four percent of Wortham ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Two percent of WISD 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). Nine percent of WISD students said they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12 percent statewide). 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
The inhalant substances most frequently used by Wortham students were correction fluid/Liquid Paper (9 percent/9 percent statewide) and gasoline (9 percent/5 percent statewide). Six percent of district students said they had inhaled paint thinner (5 percent statewide), 6 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), and 3 percent said they had inhaled glue (5 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. 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. In the Wortham ISD, 34 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 25 percent of WISD students said they had used one or more illicit substances three or more times (25 percent 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. Wortham students reported average usage rates of 1.8 times in the past month and 6.3 times during their lifetimes. Thirty percent of WISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a rate similar to that reported by their counterparts statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 13 percent of Wortham ISD students (16 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Ten percent of WISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while "stoned" on marijuana (13 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 9 percent of Wortham ISD 9th through 12th grade students (12 percent statewide). Forty-five percent of WISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53 percent statewide), and 15 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (21 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their peers statewide. Six 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). Thirteen* percent of the Wortham ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year, nearly half the rate reported by their counterparts statewide (23 percent). Fewer Wortham ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used marijuana during the past month (7 percent/9 percent statewide) than did district students who
5
said they had missed four or more days of school (16 percent/20 percent statewide). Nine percent of Wortham students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using marijuana within the past 30 days (7 percent statewide). By contrast, 29 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, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (38 percent). When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Wortham students reported a disapproval rate of 88 percent (85 percent statewide). Eight 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 Wortham ISD students. Eleven percent of WISD students reported using uppers (8 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (7 percent statewide), 4 percent said they had used hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 4 percent reported using downers (6 percent statewide), and 4 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 Wortham ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used uppers and over twice as likely to have used marijuana, powdered cocaine, hallucinogens, downers, or ecstasy than were district female students. In addition, Wortham male students were the only reported users of crack or steroids in the district. There were no other significant differences by gender among WISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, or inhalants. In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did students living in other family situations. WISD students living in other family situations were nearly twice as likely to have used marijuana, over twice as likely to have used downers, and more than three times as likely to have used powdered cocaine, hallucinogens, or uppers than were those district students living in homes with two parents. In addition, WISD 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 Wortham ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, crack, or steroids. When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage of Wortham students said they would seek help from their friends (69 percent/74 percent statewide). Fifty-nine percent of WISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend or relative (58 percent statewide), and 56 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 (24* percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 9 percent of Wortham students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).
6
Sixty-six percent of Wortham ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their peers statewide (75 percent). Thirty-five percent of district students said "an invited school guest" was a source for information about drugs and alcohol (38 percent statewide). Thirty-five percent of WISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (46 percent statewide), while "an assembly program" was reported by 33 percent of district students as a source for this information alcohol (44 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 percent of Wortham students believe that crack use is "very dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 86 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Seventy-four percent of WISD students believe that inhalant use is "very dangerous" (70 percent statewide). Sixty-seven percent of district students believe that marijuana use is "very dangerous," a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (60 percent). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Forty-four percent of WISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 29 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).
7
Sixty percent of Wortham ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 31 percent said they had used tobacco during the past month (Fig. 2).
•
Eleven percent of Wortham ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 6* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.2
•
Seventy-one percent of Wortham 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).
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
•
Twenty-five percent of Wortham 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).
•
Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 18 percent of Wortham students (Fig. 1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 4 percent (Fig. 2).
•
Thirty percent of Wortham ISD students reported using marijuana at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 13 percent said they had used marijuana during the past month (Fig. 2).
•
Wortham ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol problem (69 percent) and least likely to consult a school counselor (24 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 Wortham ISD students, especially with regard to the smokeless variety, is somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide. Sixty percent of Wortham students reported general tobacco use at least once during their lifetimes, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (55 percent) (Fig. 1). 4 Thirty-one percent of Wortham ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, compared to 26 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Fifty-six percent of Wortham students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their lifetimes (53 percent statewide), and 29 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month (25 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 11 percent of district students (8 percent statewide). Twenty-seven percent of Wortham students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (21 percent). Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 30* percent of WISD students (16 percent statewide), while 14* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month (5 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 6* percent of district students (1 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. 4
Due to the small number of students surveyed in this district, no between-grade comparisons can be made.
2
percent statewide), and 12* percent said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Alcohol Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Wortham ISD. Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two years ago. Overall, Wortham ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates similar to those reported by their peers statewide. Seventy-one percent of Wortham students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Thirty-eight percent of Wortham ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month (38 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Wortham students are wine coolers (60 percent/58 percent statewide) and beer (57 percent/56 percent statewide). Thirty-six percent of WISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (33 percent statewide), and 29 percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (31 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 38 percent of WISD students (40 percent statewide), while 22 percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (18 percent statewide). Thirty-seven percent of Wortham ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (37 percent statewide). Twenty-four percent of district students said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (19 percent). Fourteen percent of Wortham students reported attending at least one class during the past school year while "drunk" (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Twenty-five percent of WISD 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, a rate higher than that reported by 9th through 12th grade students statewide (15 percent). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 9 percent of district 9th through 12th graders, more than twice the rate reported by their counterparts statewide (4 percent) (Fig. 11). Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at parties. Seventy-three percent of Wortham 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 41 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 11 percent of WISD students (9 percent statewide).
3
Forty percent of Wortham students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide) (Fig. 13). Thirty-nine percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (43 percent statewide), while 14 percent of WISD 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 WISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used alcohol during the past month (22 percent/25 percent statewide) than did district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (45 percent/44 percent statewide). Forty-seven percent of the Wortham students who had experienced difficulties with school officials on four or more days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (62 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 (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, 77 percent of Wortham students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Ten percent of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9 percent statewide), and 11 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (10 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. Over the last two years, use of inhalants among students statewide has stayed about the same. Overall, Wortham ISD students are using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide. Eighteen percent of Wortham students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes (20 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Four percent of Wortham ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Two percent of WISD 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). Nine percent of WISD students said they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12 percent statewide). 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
The inhalant substances most frequently used by Wortham students were correction fluid/Liquid Paper (9 percent/9 percent statewide) and gasoline (9 percent/5 percent statewide). Six percent of district students said they had inhaled paint thinner (5 percent statewide), 6 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), and 3 percent said they had inhaled glue (5 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. 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. In the Wortham ISD, 34 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 25 percent of WISD students said they had used one or more illicit substances three or more times (25 percent 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. Wortham students reported average usage rates of 1.8 times in the past month and 6.3 times during their lifetimes. Thirty percent of WISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a rate similar to that reported by their counterparts statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 13 percent of Wortham ISD students (16 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Ten percent of WISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while "stoned" on marijuana (13 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 9 percent of Wortham ISD 9th through 12th grade students (12 percent statewide). Forty-five percent of WISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53 percent statewide), and 15 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (21 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their peers statewide. Six 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). Thirteen* percent of the Wortham ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year, nearly half the rate reported by their counterparts statewide (23 percent). Fewer Wortham ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used marijuana during the past month (7 percent/9 percent statewide) than did district students who
5
said they had missed four or more days of school (16 percent/20 percent statewide). Nine percent of Wortham students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using marijuana within the past 30 days (7 percent statewide). By contrast, 29 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, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (38 percent). When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Wortham students reported a disapproval rate of 88 percent (85 percent statewide). Eight 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 Wortham ISD students. Eleven percent of WISD students reported using uppers (8 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (7 percent statewide), 4 percent said they had used hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 4 percent reported using downers (6 percent statewide), and 4 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 Wortham ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used uppers and over twice as likely to have used marijuana, powdered cocaine, hallucinogens, downers, or ecstasy than were district female students. In addition, Wortham male students were the only reported users of crack or steroids in the district. There were no other significant differences by gender among WISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, or inhalants. In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did students living in other family situations. WISD students living in other family situations were nearly twice as likely to have used marijuana, over twice as likely to have used downers, and more than three times as likely to have used powdered cocaine, hallucinogens, or uppers than were those district students living in homes with two parents. In addition, WISD 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 Wortham ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, crack, or steroids. When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage of Wortham students said they would seek help from their friends (69 percent/74 percent statewide). Fifty-nine percent of WISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend or relative (58 percent statewide), and 56 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 (24* percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 9 percent of Wortham students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).
6
Sixty-six percent of Wortham ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their peers statewide (75 percent). Thirty-five percent of district students said "an invited school guest" was a source for information about drugs and alcohol (38 percent statewide). Thirty-five percent of WISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (46 percent statewide), while "an assembly program" was reported by 33 percent of district students as a source for this information alcohol (44 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 percent of Wortham students believe that crack use is "very dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 86 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Seventy-four percent of WISD students believe that inhalant use is "very dangerous" (70 percent statewide). Sixty-seven percent of district students believe that marijuana use is "very dangerous," a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (60 percent). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Forty-four percent of WISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 29 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).
7
