TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

DENTON ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1994, 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 Denton Independent School District (DISD). A total of
2144 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 102 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 2042.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-two percent of Denton ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 23 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Ten* percent of DISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 2
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.2

•Sixty-seven* percent of Denton ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 32* percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Five* percent of DISD students reported attending at least one class during the past
year while "drunk," and 15 percent of district 9th through 12th grade students

1 The percentages referred to in the executive summary were taken from the tables found in "Part I: District
Survey Results." Due to the differences in rounding procedures, there may be slight discrepancies between the
percentages referred to in the tables and those reflected in the executive summary and in the corresponding
figures. Figures referenced throughout this report are included in "Part III: Executive Summary."

2 Data in this report marked with an asterisk are estimated to be statistically significant at the .01 level from
the comparable data for the state as a whole. This means that in only one of a hundred samples would a
difference this large have occurred when there was no difference between the district and state data. Differences
in very small districts will seldom be statistically significant due to the small number of cases. Differences that
are not marked may be important, but should be treated with more caution than those that are statistically
significant.

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 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 18 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 4 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-three* percent of DISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 10* percent said they had used marijuana during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Denton ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (80* percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in
school (25* percent) or another adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse (25*
percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless
products) among students statewide has stayed much the same. Overall, the general use of
tobacco products among Denton ISD students is somewhat similar to that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Fifty-two percent of Denton students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime general tobacco use was lowest among DISD
7th graders (35 percent/40 percent statewide). Forty-five* percent of district 8th graders (50
percent statewide) and 50* percent of Denton 9th graders (57 percent statewide) said they had
used a tobacco product at least once during their lifetimes, rates somewhat lower than those
reported by their 8th and 9th grade peers statewide. Lifetime use of a tobacco product was
reported by 65 percent of district 11th graders (60 percent statewide).

Twenty-three percent of Denton ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month (24 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of past-month general tobacco use ranged
from 13 percent of district 7th graders (16 percent statewide) to 32 percent of DISD 10th
graders (27 percent statewide).

Fifty percent of Denton students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their lifetimes
(52 percent statewide), and 22 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month
(22 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 10* percent of
district students (7 percent statewide). Daily cigarette use was reported by 17* percent of
Denton ISD 11th graders (10 percent statewide) and 17 percent of district 12th graders (12
percent statewide). Twenty-three* percent of DISD students said most or all of their close
friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

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Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 19 percent of DISD students (17
percent statewide), while 6 percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (6 percent statewide). Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was
reported by 2 percent of district students (2 percent statewide), and 7 percent said most or all of
their close friends use smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide).

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Denton ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years ago.
Overall, Denton ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat lower than those reported
by their peers statewide.

Sixty-seven percent of Denton students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 74 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was
lowest among DISD 7th graders (47* percent), a rate lower than that reported by 7th graders
statewide (58 percent). Fifty-nine* percent of district 8th grade students (69 percent statewide)
and 66* percent of Denton 9th grade students (76 percent statewide) reported lifetime
consumption of alcohol, rates lower than those reported by their 8th and 9th grade counterparts
statewide. Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 82 percent of district 11th graders (83 percent
statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-two* percent of Denton ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month, compared to 39 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). The rates of current alcohol use
ranged from 19 percent of DISD 7th graders (24 percent statewide) to 45 percent of district 12th
graders (52 percent statewide). Twenty-three* percent of DISD 8th graders (34 percent
statewide) and 31* percent of district 9th graders (41 percent statewide) reported consuming
alcohol during the past month, rates lower than those reported by their peers statewide (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Denton students are wine coolers (57*
percent/61 percent statewide) and beer (56* percent/59 percent statewide). Thirty-four* percent
of DISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and
29* percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (34 percent statewide).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 35*
percent of DISD students (41 percent statewide), while 14* percent said they usually drink five
or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide). Thirty-
three* percent of Denton ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during the
past year (39 percent statewide), while 17* percent said they usually drink five or more beers at
a time on average when they drink (20 percent statewide).

Five* percent of Denton students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Attending class while intoxicated was reported by

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3* percent of district 8th graders (10 percent statewide) and 3* percent of DISD 12th graders
(10 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their counterparts
statewide. Nine percent of district 10th graders said they had attended at least one class during
the past school year while "drunk" (11 percent statewide) (Figs. 9a and 9b).

Fifteen percent of DISD 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, the same rate reported by 9th
through 12th grade students statewide. The highest rates of driving while intoxicated were
reported by Denton 12th graders (23 percent/26 percent statewide) and DISD 11th graders (22
percent/20 percent statewide). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past
year was reported by 4 percent of district 9th through 12th graders, the same rate reported by
their counterparts statewide (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Seventy-eight percent of Denton ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Thirty-three* percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide),
and 35* percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the
time or always (40 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by students
statewide. "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported by
9 percent of DISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-two* percent of Denton students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year, compared to 39 percent of students statewide. The highest
rates of alcohol use at most or all parties were reported by DISD 11th graders (62 percent/58
percent statewide) and district 12th graders (61 percent/62 percent statewide). Twelve* percent
of Denton 8th graders (24 percent statewide) and 20* percent of DISD 9th graders (39 percent
statewide) reported alcohol use at most or all of the parties they attended, rates lower than those
reported by their peers statewide (Figs. 12a and 12b). Thirty-three* percent of district students
responded "at parties" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or always, a
rate lower than that reported by students statewide (44 percent). Nineteen percent of DISD
students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (21 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 DISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (20* percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (40* percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty* percent of the district students who had experienced difficulties with school
officials on four or more days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days (65 percent
statewide). By contrast, only 19* percent of district students who had not experienced
difficulties with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past
30 days (26 percent statewide).

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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, 79* percent of Denton students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Seven* percent of
district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer
(10 percent statewide), and 10 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11
percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants3

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 decreased. Overall, Denton ISD students are using
inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Eighteen percent of Denton students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes
(19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime inhalant use ranged from 11 percent of
DISD 11th grade students (14 percent statewide) to 22 percent district 9th grade students (19
percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Four percent of Denton ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of current inhalant use ranged from 1 percent of DISD
12th graders (2 percent statewide) to 6 percent of district 8th graders (8 percent statewide) and 6
percent of Denton 10th graders (4 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Two percent of DISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
percent statewide), and 2 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school
year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Eleven percent of DISD students said they
had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12 percent
statewide).

The inhalant substance most frequently used by Denton students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (9 percent/10 percent statewide). Seven percent of district students reported inhaling
substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had
inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), and 6 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent
statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Figs. 7a and 7b).

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
3 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.

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

In the Denton ISD, 24* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 18 percent of DISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide). Statewide, students who said
they had used illicit drugs reported using them an average of 1.4 times in the past 30 days and
4.2 times during their lives. Denton students reported average usage rates of 1.0 times in the
past month and 3.9 times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-three* percent of DISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their
lifetimes (25 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime marijuana use ranged from 8*
percent of Denton 7th graders (13 percent statewide) to 35 percent of district 10th graders (30
percent statewide). Twelve* percent of DISD 8th grade students said they had used marijuana
at least once during their lifetimes, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 8th grade
students statewide (21 percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 10 percent of Denton ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of current marijuana ranged from 4 percent of district 7th graders
(6 percent statewide) to 17 percent of DISD 10th graders (14 percent statewide). Five* percent
of district 8th grade students reported past-month marijuana use, a rate somewhat lower than
that reported by 8th grade students statewide (11 percent) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Six* percent of DISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide). The rates of attending class while stoned ranged
from 2* percent of Denton 8th graders (8 percent statewide) to 11 percent of district 10th
graders (11 percent statewide) (Figs. 10a and 10b). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 10 percent of Denton ISD 9th through 12th
grade students (8 percent statewide). Fourteen percent of DISD 12th graders reported driving
under the influence of marijuana at least once during the past year (12 percent statewide).

Forty-seven percent of DISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 14* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide). Five percent of district students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any
kind" with their friends because of their own drug use (5 percent statewide).

Thirteen* percent of the Denton ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used
at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (17 percent statewide). The
highest reported drug use at parties was among district 11th graders (26 percent/25 percent
statewide). Eleven* percent of DISD 9th graders (19 percent statewide) and 4* percent of
district 8th graders (12 percent statewide) said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at
most or all of the parties they attended during the school year, rates somewhat lower than those
reported by their counterparts statewide.

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Fewer Denton ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (4 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (13 percent/15 percent statewide). Four
percent of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (4 percent statewide). By contrast, 30 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 (31 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Denton students reported a
disapproval rate of 90* percent (87 percent statewide). Five* percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent
statewide), while 3 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Uppers (7 percent/7 percent statewide) and hallucinogens (7 percent/6 percent statewide) are the
next most frequently used illicit substances among Denton ISD students. Twelve percent of
district 10th graders reported using uppers (9 percent statewide) and 11 percent of DISD 10th
graders said they had used hallucinogens (8 percent statewide) at least once during their
lifetimes (Figs. 6a and 6b). Five percent of Denton ISD reported using downers (5 percent
statewide), 3 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), 3* percent said
they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), and 3 percent reported using ecstasy (3 percent
statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were less likely to have used drugs than were male students. In the
Denton ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used marijuana than were
district female students. There were no significant differences by gender among DISD students
with regard to the use of tobacco, 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. DISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used uppers and nearly twice as likely to have used marijuana
than were those district students living in homes with two parents. There were no other
significant differences by living arrangement among Denton ISD students with regard to the use
of tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Denton students said they would seek help from their friends (80* percent/74
percent statewide). Fifty-three* percent of DISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 54 percent said they would turn to their
parents (54 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or
program in school (25* percent/35 percent statewide) or another adult in school, such as a
teacher or nurse (25* percent/33 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 4*

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percent of Denton students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or
drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Seventy-six* percent of Denton ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (79 percent statewide). "An
assembly program" was reported by 52 percent of district students as a source for this
information (53 percent statewide), while 36* percent said "an invited school guest" was a
source for information about drugs and alcohol (46 percent statewide). Thirty-six* percent of
DISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (46
percent statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-five* percent of Denton students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 94* percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-eight percent of DISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 67 percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol
and tobacco use is lower. Only 49 percent of DISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to
use alcohol (46 percent statewide), while 36* percent believe that tobacco use is "very
dangerous" (41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).