Sacred Heart School - 1996 Texas School Survey Of Drug And Alcohol Use
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TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE SACRED HEART SCHOOL 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 8, 10, and 12 in the Sacred Heart School (SHS). A total of 86 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 4 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 82.1 Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that: •Fifty-nine percent of Sacred Heart School students reported using tobacco at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 35 percent said they had used tobacco during the past month (Fig. 2). •One* percent of Sacred Heart School students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 4 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.2 •Eighty-nine* percent of Sacred Heart School students said they had used alcohol at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 59* percent reported using alcohol during the past month (Fig. 2). •Twenty-eight percent of Sacred Heart School 10th and 12th grade students said they had driven a car at least once during the past year after having "a good bit to drink" (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.
1
•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 12 percent of Sacred Heart School students (Fig. 1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 3 percent (Fig. 2). •Nine* percent of Sacred Heart School students reported using marijuana at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 3* percent said they had used marijuana during the past month (Fig. 2). •Sacred Heart School students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol problem (89* percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in school (13* percent) or another adult in school (15* percent) (Fig. 17). Tobacco Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless products) among 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide has increased slightly.3 Overall, the general use of tobacco products among Sacred Heart School students, especially with regard to the smokeless variety, is somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide. Fifty-nine percent of Sacred Heart School students reported general tobacco use at least once during their lifetimes (58 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).4 Thirty-five percent of Sacred Heart School students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (28 percent) (Fig. 2). Fifty-four percent of Sacred Heart School students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their lifetimes (56 percent statewide), and 29 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month (26 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 1* percent of Sacred Heart students, a rate considerably lower than that reported by students statewide (9 percent). Fifteen percent of SHS students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes, compared to 22 percent of their peers statewide. Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 26 percent of SHS students (18 percent statewide), while 11 percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month (6 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by students statewide. Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 4 percent of Sacred Heart students (2 percent statewide), and 2 percent said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide).
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
Alcohol Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Sacred Heart School. Alcohol use among 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two years ago. Overall, Sacred Heart School students are drinking alcohol at rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide. Eighty-nine* percent of Sacred Heart School students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their lifetimes, compared to 76 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Fifty-nine* percent of Sacred Heart School students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month, a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (40 percent) (Fig. 2). The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Sacred Heart School students are beer (80* percent/59 percent statewide) and wine coolers (74 percent/62 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Fifty-two* percent of SHS students said they drink beer weekly or monthly (35 percent statewide), and 36 percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (32 percent statewide). "Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or drinks with liquor at one time. Forty percent of Sacred Heart School students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (40 percent statewide), while 24 percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (21 percent statewide). Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 37 percent of SHS students (41 percent statewide), while 12 percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide). One* percent of Sacred Heart School students reported attending at least one class during the past school year while "drunk," a rate considerably lower than that reported by students statewide (10 percent) (Fig. 9). Twenty-eight percent of SHS 10th and 12th grade students said that they had driven a car after having "a good bit to drink" at least once during the past year, compared to 18 percent of 10th and 12th grade students statewide. Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 8 percent of Sacred Heart 10th and 12th graders (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 11). Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at parties. Ninety-three* percent of Sacred Heart School students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (79 percent statewide), while 55* percent reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide. Forty-one percent of Sacred Heart students responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or always (42 percent statewide). "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported by 17 percent of SHS students, nearly twice the rate reported by students statewide (10 percent). Fifty-four percent of Sacred Heart School students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they attended in the past school year, compared to 41 percent of students statewide (Fig.
3
13). Forty-three percent of Sacred Heart students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (46 percent statewide), while 15 percent of SHS students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (19 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, 71 percent of Sacred Heart School students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). One* percent of Sacred Heart students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (8 percent statewide), and 20 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11 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 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide stayed about the same. Overall, Sacred Heart School students are using inhalants at rates slightly lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Twelve percent of Sacred Heart School students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes, compared to 19 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Three percent of Sacred Heart School students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). One percent of SHS students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent statewide), while none of the students said they had attended at least one class during the past school year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Seven percent of SHS students said they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (11 percent statewide). The inhalant substance most frequently used by Sacred Heart School students was correction fluid/Liquid Paper (10 percent/9 percent statewide). Five percent of Sacred Heart students said they had inhaled glue (5 percent statewide), 5 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), and 4 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 7). Illicit Drugs
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
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 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide has increased. The use of marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders statewide over the last two years. In the Sacred Heart School, 9* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their lifetimes (36 percent statewide), while 6* percent of SHS students said they had used one or more illicit substances three or more times (27 percent statewide), rates considerably lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Statewide, students who said they had used illicit drugs reported using them an average of 2.4 times in the past 30 days and 7.0 times during their lives. Sacred Heart School students reported an average usage rate of 0.6 times during their lifetimes. Nine* percent of SHS students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, just over a quarter of the rate reported by students statewide (33 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 3* percent of Sacred Heart School students, compared to 17 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). None of the SHS students reported attending 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 2* percent of Sacred Heart School 10th and 12th grade students, a rate lower than that reported by 10th and 12th grade students statewide (13 percent). Fourteen* percent of SHS students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (56 percent statewide), and 1* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (22 percent statewide). None of the Sacred Heart students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of their own drug use (7 percent statewide), and none of the Sacred Heart School students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (25 percent statewide). When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Sacred Heart School students reported a disapproval rate of 94 percent (87 percent statewide). Four percent of Sacred Heart students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (7 percent statewide), while 3 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 15). Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Sacred Heart School students at rates lower than those reported by students statewide. Three percent of SHS students said they had used hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 1* percent reported using uppers (9 percent statewide), 1 percent said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), and 1 percent reported using ecstasy (6 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes. None of the Sacred Heart students reported ever using downers (6 percent statewide), powdered cocaine (7 percent statewide), or crack (3 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).
5
CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE Statewide, female students were somewhat less likely to have used drugs than were male students. In the Sacred Heart School, male students were somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco product and over three times more likely to have used an inhalant than were Sacred Heart female students. In addition, SHS male students were the only reported users of hallucinogens, uppers, or ecstasy in the district. There were no other significant differences by gender among SHS students with regard to the use of alcohol or marijuana. When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage of Sacred Heart School students said they would seek help from their friends (89* percent), a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (76 percent). Sixty-nine* percent of Sacred Heart students said they would turn to their parents for help with a drug or alcohol problem, compared to 54 percent of their peers statewide. Sixty-one percent of SHS students said they would seek help from an adult friend or relative (58 percent statewide). Sacred Heart students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or program in school (13* percent/33 percent statewide), or another adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse (15* percent/31 percent statewide), less than half the rates reported by students statewide (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 4 percent of Sacred Heart School students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (6 percent statewide). Sixty-two percent of Sacred Heart School students said they had gotten information about drugs and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, compared to 73 percent of students statewide. "An assembly program" was reported by 45 percent of Sacred Heart students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 35 percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (38 percent statewide). Fifteen* percent of SHS students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class," a rate considerably lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (43 percent). The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use of specific substances. Ninety-seven* percent of Sacred Heart School students believe that crack use is "very dangerous" (89 percent statewide), and 97* percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very dangerous" (87 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Eighty-five percent of SHS students believe that inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 86* percent believe that marijuana use is "very dangerous" (58 percent statewide), rates also higher than those reported by their peers statewide. By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 41 percent of SHS students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (43 percent statewide), while 42 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (36 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).
6
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
•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 12 percent of Sacred Heart School students (Fig. 1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 3 percent (Fig. 2). •Nine* percent of Sacred Heart School students reported using marijuana at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 3* percent said they had used marijuana during the past month (Fig. 2). •Sacred Heart School students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol problem (89* percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in school (13* percent) or another adult in school (15* percent) (Fig. 17). Tobacco Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless products) among 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide has increased slightly.3 Overall, the general use of tobacco products among Sacred Heart School students, especially with regard to the smokeless variety, is somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide. Fifty-nine percent of Sacred Heart School students reported general tobacco use at least once during their lifetimes (58 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).4 Thirty-five percent of Sacred Heart School students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (28 percent) (Fig. 2). Fifty-four percent of Sacred Heart School students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their lifetimes (56 percent statewide), and 29 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month (26 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 1* percent of Sacred Heart students, a rate considerably lower than that reported by students statewide (9 percent). Fifteen percent of SHS students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes, compared to 22 percent of their peers statewide. Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 26 percent of SHS students (18 percent statewide), while 11 percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month (6 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by students statewide. Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 4 percent of Sacred Heart students (2 percent statewide), and 2 percent said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide).
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
Alcohol Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Sacred Heart School. Alcohol use among 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two years ago. Overall, Sacred Heart School students are drinking alcohol at rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide. Eighty-nine* percent of Sacred Heart School students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their lifetimes, compared to 76 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Fifty-nine* percent of Sacred Heart School students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month, a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (40 percent) (Fig. 2). The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Sacred Heart School students are beer (80* percent/59 percent statewide) and wine coolers (74 percent/62 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Fifty-two* percent of SHS students said they drink beer weekly or monthly (35 percent statewide), and 36 percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (32 percent statewide). "Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or drinks with liquor at one time. Forty percent of Sacred Heart School students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (40 percent statewide), while 24 percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (21 percent statewide). Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 37 percent of SHS students (41 percent statewide), while 12 percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide). One* percent of Sacred Heart School students reported attending at least one class during the past school year while "drunk," a rate considerably lower than that reported by students statewide (10 percent) (Fig. 9). Twenty-eight percent of SHS 10th and 12th grade students said that they had driven a car after having "a good bit to drink" at least once during the past year, compared to 18 percent of 10th and 12th grade students statewide. Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 8 percent of Sacred Heart 10th and 12th graders (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 11). Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at parties. Ninety-three* percent of Sacred Heart School students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (79 percent statewide), while 55* percent reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide. Forty-one percent of Sacred Heart students responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or always (42 percent statewide). "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported by 17 percent of SHS students, nearly twice the rate reported by students statewide (10 percent). Fifty-four percent of Sacred Heart School students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they attended in the past school year, compared to 41 percent of students statewide (Fig.
3
13). Forty-three percent of Sacred Heart students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (46 percent statewide), while 15 percent of SHS students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (19 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, 71 percent of Sacred Heart School students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). One* percent of Sacred Heart students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (8 percent statewide), and 20 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11 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 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide stayed about the same. Overall, Sacred Heart School students are using inhalants at rates slightly lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Twelve percent of Sacred Heart School students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes, compared to 19 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Three percent of Sacred Heart School students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). One percent of SHS students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent statewide), while none of the students said they had attended at least one class during the past school year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Seven percent of SHS students said they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (11 percent statewide). The inhalant substance most frequently used by Sacred Heart School students was correction fluid/Liquid Paper (10 percent/9 percent statewide). Five percent of Sacred Heart students said they had inhaled glue (5 percent statewide), 5 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), and 4 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 7). Illicit Drugs
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
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 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide has increased. The use of marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders statewide over the last two years. In the Sacred Heart School, 9* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their lifetimes (36 percent statewide), while 6* percent of SHS students said they had used one or more illicit substances three or more times (27 percent statewide), rates considerably lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Statewide, students who said they had used illicit drugs reported using them an average of 2.4 times in the past 30 days and 7.0 times during their lives. Sacred Heart School students reported an average usage rate of 0.6 times during their lifetimes. Nine* percent of SHS students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, just over a quarter of the rate reported by students statewide (33 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 3* percent of Sacred Heart School students, compared to 17 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). None of the SHS students reported attending 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 2* percent of Sacred Heart School 10th and 12th grade students, a rate lower than that reported by 10th and 12th grade students statewide (13 percent). Fourteen* percent of SHS students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (56 percent statewide), and 1* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (22 percent statewide). None of the Sacred Heart students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of their own drug use (7 percent statewide), and none of the Sacred Heart School students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (25 percent statewide). When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Sacred Heart School students reported a disapproval rate of 94 percent (87 percent statewide). Four percent of Sacred Heart students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (7 percent statewide), while 3 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 15). Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Sacred Heart School students at rates lower than those reported by students statewide. Three percent of SHS students said they had used hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 1* percent reported using uppers (9 percent statewide), 1 percent said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), and 1 percent reported using ecstasy (6 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes. None of the Sacred Heart students reported ever using downers (6 percent statewide), powdered cocaine (7 percent statewide), or crack (3 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).
5
CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE Statewide, female students were somewhat less likely to have used drugs than were male students. In the Sacred Heart School, male students were somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco product and over three times more likely to have used an inhalant than were Sacred Heart female students. In addition, SHS male students were the only reported users of hallucinogens, uppers, or ecstasy in the district. There were no other significant differences by gender among SHS students with regard to the use of alcohol or marijuana. When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage of Sacred Heart School students said they would seek help from their friends (89* percent), a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (76 percent). Sixty-nine* percent of Sacred Heart students said they would turn to their parents for help with a drug or alcohol problem, compared to 54 percent of their peers statewide. Sixty-one percent of SHS students said they would seek help from an adult friend or relative (58 percent statewide). Sacred Heart students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or program in school (13* percent/33 percent statewide), or another adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse (15* percent/31 percent statewide), less than half the rates reported by students statewide (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 4 percent of Sacred Heart School students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (6 percent statewide). Sixty-two percent of Sacred Heart School students said they had gotten information about drugs and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, compared to 73 percent of students statewide. "An assembly program" was reported by 45 percent of Sacred Heart students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 35 percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (38 percent statewide). Fifteen* percent of SHS students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class," a rate considerably lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (43 percent). The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use of specific substances. Ninety-seven* percent of Sacred Heart School students believe that crack use is "very dangerous" (89 percent statewide), and 97* percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very dangerous" (87 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Eighty-five percent of SHS students believe that inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 86* percent believe that marijuana use is "very dangerous" (58 percent statewide), rates also higher than those reported by their peers statewide. By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 41 percent of SHS students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (43 percent statewide), while 42 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (36 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).
6
