Potter County - Highland Park Isd - 1996 Texas School Survey Of Drug And Alcohol Use
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TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE HIGHLAND PARK 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 Highland Park Independent School District (HPISD). A total of 276 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 41 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 235.1 Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that: •
Sixty-eight* percent of Highland Park 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
•
Seventeen* percent of Highland Park ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 2 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.
•
Seventy-six percent of Highland Park ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 27* 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
•
Thirteen percent of Highland Park 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 23 percent of Highland Park ISD students (Fig. 1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 4 percent (Fig. 2).
•
Thirty-one percent of Highland Park ISD students reported using marijuana at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 16 percent said they had used marijuana during the past month (Fig. 2).
•
Highland Park ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol problem (72 percent) and least likely to consult a school counselor (33 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 Highland Park ISD students is higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide. Sixty-eight* percent of Highland Park students reported general tobacco use at least once during their lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). 4 Thirty-six* percent of Highland Park ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (26 percent) (Fig. 2). Sixty-six* percent of Highland Park students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their lifetimes (53 percent statewide), and 34* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month (25 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide. Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 17* percent of district students (8 percent statewide), while 35* percent said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (21 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 28* percent of HPISD students (16 percent statewide), and 11* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month (5 percent statewide), rates higher than that reported by students statewide. Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 2 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). Twelve* percent of HPISD students said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco, over twice the rate reported by their peers statewide (5 percent). Alcohol Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Highland Park ISD. Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two years ago. Overall, Highland Park ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat similar to those reported by their peers statewide. Seventy-six percent of Highland Park students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Twenty-seven* percent of Highland Park ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month, a rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (38 percent) (Fig. 2). The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Highland Park students are wine coolers (65* percent/58 percent statewide) and beer (56 percent/56 percent statewide). Thirty-three percent of HPISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (33 percent statewide), and 31 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 44 percent of HPISD students (40 percent statewide), and 23 percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (18 percent statewide). Forty percent of Highland Park ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (37 percent statewide), while 20 percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide). Eight percent of Highland Park students reported attending at least one class during the past school year while "drunk" (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Thirteen percent of HPISD 9th through 12th grade students said that they had driven a car after having "a good bit to drink" at least once during the past year (15 percent statewide). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 4 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-seven percent of Highland Park ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide). Forty percent of district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (37 percent statewide), and 44 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 6 percent of HPISD students (9 percent statewide).
3
Thirty-five percent of Highland Park students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide) (Fig. 13). Forty-four percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (43 percent statewide), while 15 percent of HPISD 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 HPISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used alcohol during the past month (11 percent/25 percent statewide) than did students who said they had missed four or more days of school (29 percent/44 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide. Fifty-five percent of the Highland Park 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 14 percent of district students who had not experienced difficulties with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days, a rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (25 percent). 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 Highland Park students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Nine percent of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9 percent statewide), and 9 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, Highland Park ISD students are using inhalants at rates somewhat similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide. Twenty-three percent of Highland Park students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes (20 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Four percent of Highland Park ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). 5
Lifetime and current inhalant use figures have been adjusted to reflect reported use of both specific inhalants and inhalant use generally. Some students responded positive to specific use without responding positive to generic use. Some students responded positive to generic use but not specific inhalants.
4
Five percent of HPISD 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). Sixteen percent of HPISD 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 Highland Park students were correction fluid/Liquid Paper (12 percent/9 percent statewide), gasoline (11* percent/5 percent statewide), and liquid/spray paint (10 percent/7 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students said they had inhaled glue (5 percent statewide), 8 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (5 percent statewide), and 6 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other sprays" category (4 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 Highland Park ISD, 34 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 27 percent of HPISD students said they had used one or more illicit substances three or more times (25 percent statewide), rates similar to 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. Highland Park students reported average usage rates of 2.0 times in the past month and 5.9 times during their lifetimes. Thirty-one percent of HPISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, the same rate as that reported by their counterparts statewide (Fig. 1). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 16 percent of Highland Park ISD students (16 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Eleven percent of HPISD 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 17 percent of Highland Park ISD 9th through 12th grade students (12 percent statewide). Fifty-seven percent of HPISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53 percent statewide), and 28 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (21 percent statewide). Twelve percent of district students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of their own drug use, twice the rate reported by students statewide (6 percent). Twenty-three percent of the Highland Park ISD students said that
5
marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (23 percent statewide). Fewer Highland Park ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used marijuana during the past month (3 percent/9 percent statewide) than did district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (20 percent/20 percent statewide). Five percent of Highland Park students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using marijuana within the past 30 days (7 percent statewide). By contrast, 43 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 somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (38 percent). When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Highland Park students reported a disapproval rate of 85 percent (85 percent statewide). Seven 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 Highland Park ISD students. Nine percent of HPISD students reported using uppers (8 percent statewide), 6 percent reported using ecstasy (5 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had used hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (7 percent statewide), 4 percent reported using downers (6 percent statewide), 3 percent said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), and 1 percent reported using crack (3 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 Highland Park ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have smoked marijuana, more than twice as likely to have used uppers or downers, and over three times more likely to have used powdered cocaine than were district female students. In addition, HPISD male students were the only reported users of crack in the district. There were no other significant differences by gender among HPISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, 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. HPISD students living in other family situations were somewhat more likely to have used inhalants or ecstasy, nearly twice as likely to have smoked marijuana or used powdered cocaine, and over twice as likely to have used crack or downers than were those district students living in homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement among Highland Park ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, or other illegal drugs.
6
When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage of Highland Park students said they would seek help from their friends (72 percent/74 percent statewide). Fifty-five percent of district students said they would turn to their parents (54 percent statewide). Fifty-one percent of HPISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend or relative, compared to 58 percent of students statewide. District students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or program in school (33 percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 8 percent of Highland Park students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide). Seventy-two percent of Highland Park ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (75 percent statewide). Forty-seven percent of HPISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (46 percent statewide). "An assembly program" was reported by 36 percent of district students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide), and 22* percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (38 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. Eighty-four percent of Highland Park students believe that crack use is "very dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 83 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Seventy-five percent of HPISD students believe that inhalant use is "very dangerous" (70 percent statewide), and 59 percent believe that marijuana use is "very dangerous" (60 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 41 percent of HPISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44 percent statewide), and 32 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).
7
Sixty-eight* percent of Highland Park 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
•
Seventeen* percent of Highland Park ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 2 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.
•
Seventy-six percent of Highland Park ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 27* 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
•
Thirteen percent of Highland Park 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 23 percent of Highland Park ISD students (Fig. 1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 4 percent (Fig. 2).
•
Thirty-one percent of Highland Park ISD students reported using marijuana at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 16 percent said they had used marijuana during the past month (Fig. 2).
•
Highland Park ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol problem (72 percent) and least likely to consult a school counselor (33 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 Highland Park ISD students is higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide. Sixty-eight* percent of Highland Park students reported general tobacco use at least once during their lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). 4 Thirty-six* percent of Highland Park ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (26 percent) (Fig. 2). Sixty-six* percent of Highland Park students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their lifetimes (53 percent statewide), and 34* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month (25 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide. Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 17* percent of district students (8 percent statewide), while 35* percent said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (21 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 28* percent of HPISD students (16 percent statewide), and 11* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month (5 percent statewide), rates higher than that reported by students statewide. Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 2 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). Twelve* percent of HPISD students said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco, over twice the rate reported by their peers statewide (5 percent). Alcohol Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Highland Park ISD. Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two years ago. Overall, Highland Park ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat similar to those reported by their peers statewide. Seventy-six percent of Highland Park students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Twenty-seven* percent of Highland Park ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month, a rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (38 percent) (Fig. 2). The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Highland Park students are wine coolers (65* percent/58 percent statewide) and beer (56 percent/56 percent statewide). Thirty-three percent of HPISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (33 percent statewide), and 31 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 44 percent of HPISD students (40 percent statewide), and 23 percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (18 percent statewide). Forty percent of Highland Park ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (37 percent statewide), while 20 percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide). Eight percent of Highland Park students reported attending at least one class during the past school year while "drunk" (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Thirteen percent of HPISD 9th through 12th grade students said that they had driven a car after having "a good bit to drink" at least once during the past year (15 percent statewide). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 4 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-seven percent of Highland Park ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide). Forty percent of district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (37 percent statewide), and 44 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 6 percent of HPISD students (9 percent statewide).
3
Thirty-five percent of Highland Park students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide) (Fig. 13). Forty-four percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (43 percent statewide), while 15 percent of HPISD 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 HPISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used alcohol during the past month (11 percent/25 percent statewide) than did students who said they had missed four or more days of school (29 percent/44 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide. Fifty-five percent of the Highland Park 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 14 percent of district students who had not experienced difficulties with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days, a rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (25 percent). 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 Highland Park students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Nine percent of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9 percent statewide), and 9 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, Highland Park ISD students are using inhalants at rates somewhat similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide. Twenty-three percent of Highland Park students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes (20 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Four percent of Highland Park ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). 5
Lifetime and current inhalant use figures have been adjusted to reflect reported use of both specific inhalants and inhalant use generally. Some students responded positive to specific use without responding positive to generic use. Some students responded positive to generic use but not specific inhalants.
4
Five percent of HPISD 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). Sixteen percent of HPISD 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 Highland Park students were correction fluid/Liquid Paper (12 percent/9 percent statewide), gasoline (11* percent/5 percent statewide), and liquid/spray paint (10 percent/7 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students said they had inhaled glue (5 percent statewide), 8 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (5 percent statewide), and 6 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other sprays" category (4 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 Highland Park ISD, 34 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 27 percent of HPISD students said they had used one or more illicit substances three or more times (25 percent statewide), rates similar to 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. Highland Park students reported average usage rates of 2.0 times in the past month and 5.9 times during their lifetimes. Thirty-one percent of HPISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, the same rate as that reported by their counterparts statewide (Fig. 1). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 16 percent of Highland Park ISD students (16 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Eleven percent of HPISD 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 17 percent of Highland Park ISD 9th through 12th grade students (12 percent statewide). Fifty-seven percent of HPISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53 percent statewide), and 28 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (21 percent statewide). Twelve percent of district students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of their own drug use, twice the rate reported by students statewide (6 percent). Twenty-three percent of the Highland Park ISD students said that
5
marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (23 percent statewide). Fewer Highland Park ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used marijuana during the past month (3 percent/9 percent statewide) than did district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (20 percent/20 percent statewide). Five percent of Highland Park students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using marijuana within the past 30 days (7 percent statewide). By contrast, 43 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 somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (38 percent). When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Highland Park students reported a disapproval rate of 85 percent (85 percent statewide). Seven 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 Highland Park ISD students. Nine percent of HPISD students reported using uppers (8 percent statewide), 6 percent reported using ecstasy (5 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had used hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (7 percent statewide), 4 percent reported using downers (6 percent statewide), 3 percent said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), and 1 percent reported using crack (3 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 Highland Park ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have smoked marijuana, more than twice as likely to have used uppers or downers, and over three times more likely to have used powdered cocaine than were district female students. In addition, HPISD male students were the only reported users of crack in the district. There were no other significant differences by gender among HPISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, 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. HPISD students living in other family situations were somewhat more likely to have used inhalants or ecstasy, nearly twice as likely to have smoked marijuana or used powdered cocaine, and over twice as likely to have used crack or downers than were those district students living in homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement among Highland Park ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, or other illegal drugs.
6
When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage of Highland Park students said they would seek help from their friends (72 percent/74 percent statewide). Fifty-five percent of district students said they would turn to their parents (54 percent statewide). Fifty-one percent of HPISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend or relative, compared to 58 percent of students statewide. District students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or program in school (33 percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 8 percent of Highland Park students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide). Seventy-two percent of Highland Park ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (75 percent statewide). Forty-seven percent of HPISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (46 percent statewide). "An assembly program" was reported by 36 percent of district students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide), and 22* percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (38 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. Eighty-four percent of Highland Park students believe that crack use is "very dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 83 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Seventy-five percent of HPISD students believe that inhalant use is "very dangerous" (70 percent statewide), and 59 percent believe that marijuana use is "very dangerous" (60 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 41 percent of HPISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44 percent statewide), and 32 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).
7
