Travis County - Texas School For The Deaf - 1996 Texas School Survey Of Drug And Alcohol Use
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TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF 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 AM University, administered a survey to students in grades 8 through 12 in the Texas School for the Deaf (TSD). A total of 63 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 10 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 school analysis was 53.1 Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that: •Fifty-two percent of Texas School for the Deaf students reported using tobacco at least once during their lifetimes, and 24 percent said they had used tobacco during the past month. •None of the Texas School for the Deaf students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 4 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis. •Seventy-two percent of Texas School for the Deaf students said they had used alcohol at least once during their lifetimes, and 24 percent reported using alcohol during the past month. •Nineteen percent of Texas School for the Deaf 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". •Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 31 percent of Texas School for the Deaf students, while past-month inhalant use was reported by 8 percent. •Thirty-one percent of Texas School for the Deaf students reported using marijuana at least once during their lifetimes, and 10 percent said they had used marijuana during the past month. 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.
1
•Texas School for the Deaf students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol problem (42 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program outside of school (34 percent). Tobacco Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless products) among secondary students statewide has increased slightly.2 Fifty-two percent of Texas School for the Deaf students reported general tobacco use at least once during their lifetimes, and 24 percent said they had used a tobacco product during the past month.3 Forty-five percent of Texas School for the Deaf students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their lifetimes, 14 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month, and none of the students reported smoking cigarettes on a daily basis. Nineteen percent of TSD students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes. Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 29 percent of TSD students, while 16 percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month. Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 4 percent of TSD students, and 18 percent said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco. Alcohol Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Texas School for the Deaf. Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two years ago. Seventy-two percent of Texas School for the Deaf students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their lifetimes, and 24 percent said they had consumed alcohol during the past month. The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Texas School for the Deaf students are beer (50 percent) and wine coolers (39 percent). Thirty percent of TSD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis, and 21 percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly. "Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or drinks with liquor at one time. Thirty-six percent of Texas School for the Deaf students reported 2
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. 3
Because a non-standard grade combination was used in this district, no state data for grades 8 through 12 combined are available for comparisons throughout this report; and due to the small number of students surveyed in this district, no between-grade comparisons can be made.
2
"binge drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes, while 14 percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink. Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 26 percent of TSD students, while 10 percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink. Twenty percent of Texas School for the Deaf students reported attending at least one class during the past School year while "drunk." Nineteen percent of TSD 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 none of the TSD 9th through 12th graders (4 percent statewide). Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at parties. Twenty-seven percent of Texas School for the Deaf students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain. Twenty-one percent of TSD students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol, and 31 percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or always. "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported by 11 percent of TSD students. Fourteen percent of Texas School for the Deaf students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they attended in the past school year. Twenty-two percent of TSD students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always, while 11 percent said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always. 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 TSD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used alcohol during the past month (7 percent) than did TSD students who said they had missed four or more days of school (25 percent). Thirty-seven percent of the Texas School for the Deaf students who had experienced difficulties with school officials on four or more days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days. By contrast, only 15 percent of TSD students who had not experienced difficulties with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days. 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, 43 percent of Texas School for the Deaf students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove. Thirty-three percent of TSD students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer, and 11 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove. Inhalants4
4
Lifetime and current inhalant use figures have been adjusted to reflect reported use of both specific inhalants and inhalant use generally. Some students responded positive to specific use without responding positive to generic use. Some students responded positive to generic use but not specific inhalants.
3
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 secondary students statewide has stayed about the same. Thirty-one percent of Texas School for the Deaf students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes, and 8 percent said they had used inhalants during the past month. Three percent of TSD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants, 5 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school year while "high" on inhalants, and 14 percent said they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes. The inhalant substances most frequently used by Texas School for the Deaf students were liquid/spray paint (13 percent), correction fluid/Liquid Paper (12 percent), and glue (11 percent). Nine percent of TSD students reported inhaling substances in the "other sprays" category, 8 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category, 6 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner, and 5 percent reported inhaling gasoline at least once during their lifetimes. Fewer Texas School for the Deaf students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used inhalants during the past month (5 percent) than did TSD students who said they had missed four or more days of school (16 percent). Four percent of School students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using inhalants within the past 30 days. By contrast, 26 percent of TSD students who had gotten into trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using inhalants during the past 30 days. 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 secondary students statewide has increased. The use of marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased among secondary students statewide over the last two years. In the Texas School for the Deaf, 33 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their lifetimes, while 26 percent of TSD students said they had used one or more illicit substances three or more times. 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. Texas School for the Deaf students reported average usage rates of 0.9 times in the past month and 4.6 times during their lifetimes. Thirty-one percent of TSD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, and 10 percent reported smoking marijuana during the past month. Sixteen percent of TSD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while "stoned" on marijuana. Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 7 percent of Texas
4
School for the Deaf 9th through 12th grade students, nearly half the rate reported by 9th through 12th grade students statewide (12 percent). Thirteen percent of TSD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain, and 15 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana. Twenty-one percent of TSD students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of their own drug use. Eleven percent of the Texas School for the Deaf students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year. Fewer Texas School for the Deaf students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used marijuana during the past month (7 percent) than did TSD students who said they had missed four or more days of school (18 percent). Three percent of Texas School for the Deaf students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using marijuana within the past 30 days. By contrast, 29 percent of TSD students who had gotten into trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using marijuana during the past 30 days. When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Texas School for the Deaf students reported a disapproval rate of 57 percent. Thirty-eight percent of TSD students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana, while 5 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove. Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Texas School for the Deaf students. Ten percent of TSD students said they had used hallucinogens, 6 percent reported using crack, 5 percent said they had used powdered cocaine, 3 percent reported using ecstasy, 2 percent reported using uppers, and 2 percent reported using downers at least once during their lifetimes. None of the TSD students reported ever using steroids. CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE Statewide, female students were somewhat less likely to have used drugs than were male students. In the Texas School for the Deaf, however, female students were somewhat more likely to have used hallucinogens, nearly twice as likely to have used inhalants, over two times more likely to have smoked marijuana or used powdered cocaine, and over three times more likely to have used crack than were TSD female students. In addition, TSD female students were the only reported users of uppers or downers. There were no other significant differences by gender among TSD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, or ecstasy. When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage of Texas School for the Deaf students said they would seek help from their friends (42 percent). Fifty-nine percent of TSD students said they would turn to their parents for help with a drug or alcohol problem, and 41 percent said they would seek help from an adult friend or relative (58 percent statewide). Texas School for the Deaf students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or program outside of school (34 percent). Since school began in the Fall, 33 percent
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of Texas School for the Deaf students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends. Ninety-two percent of Texas School for the Deaf students said they had gotten information about drugs and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall. Eighty-one percent of TSD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class," while 70 percent reported "an assembly program" was a source for this information, and 54 percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for information about drugs and alcohol. The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use of specific substances. Eighty-one percent of Texas School for the Deaf students believe that crack use is "very dangerous," and 82 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very dangerous." Eighty percent of TSD students believe that inhalant use is "very dangerous," 56 percent believe that marijuana use is "very dangerous," and 56 percent feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44 percent statewide). Only 40 percent of TSD students believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous."
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.
1
•Texas School for the Deaf students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol problem (42 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program outside of school (34 percent). Tobacco Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless products) among secondary students statewide has increased slightly.2 Fifty-two percent of Texas School for the Deaf students reported general tobacco use at least once during their lifetimes, and 24 percent said they had used a tobacco product during the past month.3 Forty-five percent of Texas School for the Deaf students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their lifetimes, 14 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month, and none of the students reported smoking cigarettes on a daily basis. Nineteen percent of TSD students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes. Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 29 percent of TSD students, while 16 percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month. Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 4 percent of TSD students, and 18 percent said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco. Alcohol Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Texas School for the Deaf. Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two years ago. Seventy-two percent of Texas School for the Deaf students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their lifetimes, and 24 percent said they had consumed alcohol during the past month. The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Texas School for the Deaf students are beer (50 percent) and wine coolers (39 percent). Thirty percent of TSD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis, and 21 percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly. "Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or drinks with liquor at one time. Thirty-six percent of Texas School for the Deaf students reported 2
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. 3
Because a non-standard grade combination was used in this district, no state data for grades 8 through 12 combined are available for comparisons throughout this report; and due to the small number of students surveyed in this district, no between-grade comparisons can be made.
2
"binge drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes, while 14 percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink. Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 26 percent of TSD students, while 10 percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink. Twenty percent of Texas School for the Deaf students reported attending at least one class during the past School year while "drunk." Nineteen percent of TSD 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 none of the TSD 9th through 12th graders (4 percent statewide). Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at parties. Twenty-seven percent of Texas School for the Deaf students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain. Twenty-one percent of TSD students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol, and 31 percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or always. "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported by 11 percent of TSD students. Fourteen percent of Texas School for the Deaf students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they attended in the past school year. Twenty-two percent of TSD students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always, while 11 percent said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always. 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 TSD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used alcohol during the past month (7 percent) than did TSD students who said they had missed four or more days of school (25 percent). Thirty-seven percent of the Texas School for the Deaf students who had experienced difficulties with school officials on four or more days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days. By contrast, only 15 percent of TSD students who had not experienced difficulties with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days. 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, 43 percent of Texas School for the Deaf students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove. Thirty-three percent of TSD students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer, and 11 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove. Inhalants4
4
Lifetime and current inhalant use figures have been adjusted to reflect reported use of both specific inhalants and inhalant use generally. Some students responded positive to specific use without responding positive to generic use. Some students responded positive to generic use but not specific inhalants.
3
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 secondary students statewide has stayed about the same. Thirty-one percent of Texas School for the Deaf students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes, and 8 percent said they had used inhalants during the past month. Three percent of TSD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants, 5 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school year while "high" on inhalants, and 14 percent said they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes. The inhalant substances most frequently used by Texas School for the Deaf students were liquid/spray paint (13 percent), correction fluid/Liquid Paper (12 percent), and glue (11 percent). Nine percent of TSD students reported inhaling substances in the "other sprays" category, 8 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category, 6 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner, and 5 percent reported inhaling gasoline at least once during their lifetimes. Fewer Texas School for the Deaf students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used inhalants during the past month (5 percent) than did TSD students who said they had missed four or more days of school (16 percent). Four percent of School students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using inhalants within the past 30 days. By contrast, 26 percent of TSD students who had gotten into trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using inhalants during the past 30 days. 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 secondary students statewide has increased. The use of marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased among secondary students statewide over the last two years. In the Texas School for the Deaf, 33 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their lifetimes, while 26 percent of TSD students said they had used one or more illicit substances three or more times. 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. Texas School for the Deaf students reported average usage rates of 0.9 times in the past month and 4.6 times during their lifetimes. Thirty-one percent of TSD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, and 10 percent reported smoking marijuana during the past month. Sixteen percent of TSD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while "stoned" on marijuana. Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 7 percent of Texas
4
School for the Deaf 9th through 12th grade students, nearly half the rate reported by 9th through 12th grade students statewide (12 percent). Thirteen percent of TSD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain, and 15 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana. Twenty-one percent of TSD students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of their own drug use. Eleven percent of the Texas School for the Deaf students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year. Fewer Texas School for the Deaf students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used marijuana during the past month (7 percent) than did TSD students who said they had missed four or more days of school (18 percent). Three percent of Texas School for the Deaf students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using marijuana within the past 30 days. By contrast, 29 percent of TSD students who had gotten into trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using marijuana during the past 30 days. When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Texas School for the Deaf students reported a disapproval rate of 57 percent. Thirty-eight percent of TSD students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana, while 5 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove. Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Texas School for the Deaf students. Ten percent of TSD students said they had used hallucinogens, 6 percent reported using crack, 5 percent said they had used powdered cocaine, 3 percent reported using ecstasy, 2 percent reported using uppers, and 2 percent reported using downers at least once during their lifetimes. None of the TSD students reported ever using steroids. CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE Statewide, female students were somewhat less likely to have used drugs than were male students. In the Texas School for the Deaf, however, female students were somewhat more likely to have used hallucinogens, nearly twice as likely to have used inhalants, over two times more likely to have smoked marijuana or used powdered cocaine, and over three times more likely to have used crack than were TSD female students. In addition, TSD female students were the only reported users of uppers or downers. There were no other significant differences by gender among TSD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, or ecstasy. When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage of Texas School for the Deaf students said they would seek help from their friends (42 percent). Fifty-nine percent of TSD students said they would turn to their parents for help with a drug or alcohol problem, and 41 percent said they would seek help from an adult friend or relative (58 percent statewide). Texas School for the Deaf students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or program outside of school (34 percent). Since school began in the Fall, 33 percent
5
of Texas School for the Deaf students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends. Ninety-two percent of Texas School for the Deaf students said they had gotten information about drugs and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall. Eighty-one percent of TSD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class," while 70 percent reported "an assembly program" was a source for this information, and 54 percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for information about drugs and alcohol. The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use of specific substances. Eighty-one percent of Texas School for the Deaf students believe that crack use is "very dangerous," and 82 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very dangerous." Eighty percent of TSD students believe that inhalant use is "very dangerous," 56 percent believe that marijuana use is "very dangerous," and 56 percent feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44 percent statewide). Only 40 percent of TSD students believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous."
6
