TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

PAMPA 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 Pampa Independent School District (PISD). A total of 1384
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 85 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 1299.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-two* percent of Pampa ISD 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).2

•Sixteen* percent of Pampa ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while 5* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Seventy-three percent of Pampa ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 41 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Thirty* percent of Pampa 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).

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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•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 20 percent of Pampa ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 5 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-nine percent of Pampa ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 14 percent said they had used marijuana during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•Pampa ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (80* percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school, such as
a teacher or nurse (31 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 Pampa ISD students is higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide.

Sixty-two* percent of Pampa students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime general tobacco use
was lowest among district 7th graders (44 percent/41 percent statewide). Seventy-one* percent
of PISD 10th grade students (60 percent statewide) and 71* percent of Pampa 11th grade
students (61 percent statewide) reported lifetime use of a tobacco product, rates higher than
those reported by 10th and 11th grade students statewide.

Thirty-five* percent of Pampa ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past
month, in contrast with the 26 percent reported by students statewide (Fig. 2). The rates of
past-month general tobacco use were higher than those reported by their peers statewide among
PISD 10th grade students (40* percent/30 percent statewide), district 11th grade students (44*
percent/31 percent statewide), and Pampa 12th grade students (55* percent/34 percent
statewide).

Fifty-eight* percent of Pampa students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (53 percent statewide), and 31* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (25 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by students statewide.
Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 16* percent of district students, double the
rate reported by students statewide (8 percent). The rates of daily cigarette use were
considerably higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide among Pampa ISD 10th
graders (20* percent/11 percent statewide), PISD 9th graders (21* percent/9 percent statewide),
and district 12th graders (27 percent/14 percent statewide). Twenty-eight* percent of PISD
students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes, compared to 21 percent of
students 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.

2
Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 32* percent of PISD students (16
percent statewide), while 13* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (5 percent statewide), rates considerably higher than those reported by students
statewide. Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 5* percent of
district students (1 percent statewide), and 13* percent said most or all of their close friends use
smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide.

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Pampa ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two
years ago. Overall, Pampa ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat similar to those
reported by their peers statewide.

Seventy-three percent of Pampa students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was lowest among PISD 7th
graders (52 percent/56 percent statewide) and highest among district 12th graders (87 percent/85
percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Forty-one percent of Pampa ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month
(38 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was lowest among PISD 7th graders (21
percent/23 percent statewide). Fifty-five percent of district 11th grade students (46 percent
statewide) and 58 percent of Pampa 12th grade students reported drinking alcohol during the
past month (51 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by 11th and 12th
grade students statewide (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Pampa students are beer (62* percent/56
percent statewide) and wine coolers (59 percent/58 percent statewide). Forty-two* percent of
PISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis, a rate higher than that reported
by students statewide (33 percent). Thirty-one percent of district students 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. PISD students are "binge drinking" beer and, somewhat less so,
wine coolers at rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide. Forty-seven* percent
of Pampa ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (37
percent statewide), while 31* percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on
average when they drink (19 percent statewide). Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was
reported by 46* percent of PISD students (40 percent statewide), while 23* percent said they
usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (18 percent
statewide).

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Ten percent of Pampa students reported attending at least one class during the past school year
while "drunk" (9 percent statewide). Attending class while intoxicated was reported by 3*
percent of PISD 8th graders, a third the rate reported by 8th graders statewide (9 percent) (Figs.
9a and 9b).

Thirty* percent of PISD 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, twice the rate reported by 9th
through 12th grade students statewide (15 percent). Driving while intoxicated was reported by
29* percent of Pampa 10th graders (12 percent statewide), 42* percent of district 11th graders
(20 percent statewide) and 49* percent of PISD 12th graders (26 percent statewide). Driving
while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 12* percent of district
9th through 12th graders, triple the rate reported by their peers statewide (4 percent) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at parties.
Seventy-seven percent of Pampa ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide). Forty-four* percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (37 percent statewide), and 47*
percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (39 percent statewide). Fourteen* percent of PISD students reported "difficulties of any
kind" with friends because of one's own drinking (9 percent statewide).

Forty-nine* percent of Pampa students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year, in contrast with the 37 percent reported by students statewide.
The highest rate of alcohol use at most or all parties was reported by PISD 12th graders (78*
percent), a rate considerably higher than that reported by 12th graders statewide (61 percent)
(Figs. 13a and 13b). Forty-seven* percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked
where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (43 percent statewide), while 18 percent of
PISD 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 PISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (28 percent/25 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (46 percent/44 percent
statewide). Sixty-seven percent of Pampa ISD 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 32* percent of district students who had not experienced
difficulties with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30
days (25 percent statewide).

Parental attitudes can be a major factor in whether or not a student uses alcohol or drugs. When
asked how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer, 76 percent of Pampa students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Six* percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9

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percent statewide), and 12 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (10 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants4

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

Twenty percent of Pampa students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes
(20 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was lowest among district 12th grade
students (14 percent/14 percent statewide). Twenty-seven percent of PISD 9th graders reported
lifetime inhalant use, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 9th graders statewide (21
percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Five percent of Pampa ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Three percent of PISD students reported most or all of their close
friends use inhalants (3 percent statewide), and 4 percent said they had attended at least one class
during the past school year while "high" on inhalants (4 percent statewide). Thirteen percent of
PISD 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 Pampa students were correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (9 percent/9 percent statewide), gasoline (9* percent/5 percent statewide), and those in the
"other inhalants" category (9 percent/8 percent statewide). Seven percent of district students
said they had inhaled paint thinner (5 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had inhaled
liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled glue (5 percent
statewide), and 6* percent reported inhaling substances in the "other sprays" category (4 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 marijuana,
the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased among students statewide over the
last two years.

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.

5
In the Pampa ISD, 31 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 24 percent of PISD 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. Pampa
students reported average usage rates of 2.3 times in the past month and 7.3 times during their
lifetimes.

Twenty-nine percent of PISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate similar to that reported by students statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime
marijuana use were lowest among Pampa 7th graders (13 percent/17 percent) and highest among
district 12th graders (39 percent/41 percent statewide). Seventeen* percent of Pampa 8th grade
students reported lifetime marijuana use, a rate lower than that reported by 8th grade students
statewide (26 percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 14 percent of Pampa ISD students (16 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of past-month marijuana use ranged from 6 percent among district
7th graders (9 percent statewide) to 19 percent among PISD 11th graders (19 percent statewide)
(Figs. 6a and 6b).

Fourteen percent of PISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (13 percent statewide). Class attendance while stoned was reported by 5*
percent of Pampa 8th graders, less than half the rate reported by 8th graders statewide (11
percent) (Figs. 10a and 10b). Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past
year was reported by 17* percent of Pampa ISD 9th through 12th grade students, compared to
12 percent of 9th through 12th graders statewide. Driving under the influence of drugs was
reported by 16* percent of PISD 10th graders (10 percent statewide) and 23* percent of district
11th graders (14 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by 10th and 11th graders
statewide.

Fifty percent of PISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53 percent
statewide). Fifteen* percent of Pampa students reported most or all of their close friends use
marijuana, compared to 21 percent of students statewide. Seven percent of district students said
they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of their own drug use (6
percent statewide). Seventeen* percent of the Pampa ISD students said that marijuana and/or
other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year, in
contrast to the 23 percent of students statewide. The use of marijuana and/or other drugs at
most or all parties was reported by 19* percent of district 10th graders, a rate lower than that
reported by 10th graders statewide (29 percent).

Fewer Pampa ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (8 percent/9 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (14 percent/20 percent statewide). Seven
percent of PISD students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (7 percent statewide). By contrast, 38 percent of district

6
students who had gotten into trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using
marijuana during the past 30 days (38 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Pampa students reported a
disapproval rate of 89* percent (85 percent statewide). Six* 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).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Pampa ISD students. Eleven* percent of
PISD students reported using uppers (8 percent statewide), 9 percent said they had used
hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 8* percent reported using downers (6 percent statewide), 7
percent said they had used powdered cocaine (7 percent statewide), and 6 percent reported using
ecstasy (5 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were somewhat less likely to have used drugs than were male
students. In the Pampa ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used inhalants,
powdered cocaine, hallucinogens, or ecstasy than were district female students. There were no
other significant differences by gender among PISD students with regard to the use of tobacco
products, alcohol, marijuana, 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. PISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used inhalants, nearly twice as likely to have used marijuana,
powdered cocaine, hallucinogens, uppers, or downers, and over two times more likely to have
used ecstasy than were those district students living in homes with two parents. There were no
other significant differences by living arrangement among Pampa ISD students with regard to the
use of tobacco products, alcohol, crack, or steroids.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Pampa students said they would seek help from their friends (80* percent), compared to 74
percent of students statewide. Sixty-two percent of PISD students said they would seek help
from an adult friend or relative (58 percent statewide), and 56 percent said they would turn to
their parents (54 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help for a drug or
alcohol problem from another adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse (31 percent/32 percent
statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 5 percent of Pampa students reported
seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than
family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Eighty-eight* percent of Pampa ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, in contrast with the 75 percent
reported by students statewide. "An assembly program" was reported by 74* percent of district
students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 67*

7
percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (38 percent statewide),
rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Forty-five percent of PISD 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. Eighty-nine percent of Pampa students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 87 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Seventy-six percent of PISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (76 percent statewide). Sixty-five* percent of Pampa students believe
that marijuana use is "very dangerous," a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers
statewide (60 percent). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower.
Forty-four percent of PISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44 percent
statewide). Only 32* percent of Pampa ISD students believe that tobacco use is "very
dangerous," a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (39 percent) (Fig.
13).