TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

LITTLEFIELD 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 Littlefield Independent School District (LISD). A total of 628
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 32 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 596.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

• Sixty percent of Littlefield ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 28 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

• Twelve* percent of Littlefield ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily
basis, while 1 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily
basis.2

• Seventy-one percent of Littlefield ISD students said they had used alcohol at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 37 percent reported using alcohol during
the past month (Fig. 2).

• Twenty percent of Littlefield 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.

1
• Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 18 percent of Littlefield ISD students (Fig.
1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 4 percent (Fig. 2).

• Thirty-two percent of Littlefield 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).

• Littlefield ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (75 percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school,
such as a teacher or nurse (33 percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless products)
among students statewide has increased slightly.3 Overall, the general use of tobacco products
among Littlefield ISD students, especially those in the upper grades, is slightly higher than that
reported by students statewide.

Sixty percent of Littlefield students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was reported by 53 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (47 percent statewide) and 65 percent of LISD 9th through 12th
graders (60 percent statewide).

Twenty-eight percent of Littlefield ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month (26 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco use was reported by 19
percent of LISD 7th and 8th grade students (20 percent statewide) and 35 percent of district 9th
through 12th grade students (30 percent statewide).

Fifty-nine percent of Littlefield students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (53 percent statewide), 27 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (25 percent statewide), and 12* percent reported smoking cigarettes on a daily basis (8
percent statewide). Daily use of cigarettes was reported by 17* percent of district 9th through
12th grade students, a rate higher than that reported by 9th through 12th grade students
statewide (11 percent). Twenty-four percent of LISD students said most or all of their close
friends smoke cigarettes (21 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 20 percent of LISD students (16
percent statewide), while 7 percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (5 percent statewide), and 1 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a

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
daily basis (1 percent statewide). Four percent of district students 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 Littlefield ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two
years ago. Overall, Littlefield ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat similar to
those reported by their peers statewide.

Seventy-one percent of Littlefield students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 58 percent of
LISD 7th and 8th graders (63 percent statewide) and 80 percent of district 9th through 12th
graders (80 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-seven percent of Littlefield ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (38 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was reported by 21 percent of
district 7th and 8th grade students (28 percent statewide) and 48 percent of LISD 9th through
12th grade students (43 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Littlefield students are beer (56 percent/56
percent statewide) and wine coolers (53 percent/58 percent statewide). Thirty-five percent of
LISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (33 percent statewide), and 27
percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (31 percent statewide).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Forty-three percent of Littlefield ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (37 percent statewide). Twenty-six* percent of
district students said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink,
a rate higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (19 percent). Lifetime "binge
drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 42 percent of LISD students (40 percent statewide),
while 22 percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when
they drink (18 percent statewide).

Eight percent of Littlefield students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Twenty percent of LISD 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 6 percent of district 9th through 12th graders (4 percent statewide)
(Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at parties.
Seventy-two percent of Littlefield ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide). Thirty-nine percent of district

3
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (37 percent statewide), and 42
percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (39 percent statewide). "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own
drinking was reported by 9 percent of LISD students (9 percent statewide).

Forty percent of Littlefield students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide). Alcohol use at most or all parties was
reported by 17 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (17 percent statewide) and 56 percent of
LISD 9th through 12th graders (49 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Forty-six percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always
(43 percent statewide). Eight* percent of LISD students said they get alcohol "from the store"
most of the time or always, nearly half the rate reported by their counterparts statewide (17
percent).

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 LISD 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 (41 percent/44 percent
statewide). Sixty-six 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 (62 percent
statewide). By contrast, only 24 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, 74 percent of Littlefield students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide), and 11 percent said their
parents neither approve nor disapprove (10 percent statewide). Ten percent of district students
said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9 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, Littlefield ISD

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.

4
students are using inhalants at rates somewhat similar to those reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Eighteen percent of Littlefield students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (20 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 16* percent of
district 7th and 8th graders, a rate lower than that reported by 7th and 8th graders statewide (23
percent). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 19 percent of LISD 9th through 12th graders
(18 percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Four percent of Littlefield ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month inhalant use was reported by 6 percent of district 7th
and 8th grade students (8 percent statewide) and 3 percent of LISD 9th through 12th grade
students (3 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Two percent of LISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent
statewide), and 3 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school year
while "high" on inhalants (4 percent statewide). Eleven percent of LISD students said they had
used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12 percent
statewide).

Seven percent of district students said they had inhaled paint thinner (5 percent statewide, 7
percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 6
percent said they had inhaled correction fluid/Liquid Paper (9 percent statewide), 6 percent
reported inhaling gasoline (5 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray
paint (7 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had inhaled glue (5 percent statewide), and 3
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 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 Littlefield ISD, 34 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 24 percent of LISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (25 percent 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. Littlefield students reported average usage rates of 2.1 times in the past
month and 5.5 times during their lifetimes.

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Thirty-two percent of LISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate similar to that reported by their peers statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana use
was reported by 23 percent of Littlefield 7th and 8th grade students (21 percent statewide) and
39 percent of district 9th through 12th grade students (37 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 14 percent of Littlefield ISD students (16 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 10 percent of district 7th and 8th
graders (11 percent statewide) and 17 percent of LISD 9th through 12th graders (19 percent
statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Ten percent of LISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while "stoned"
on marijuana (13 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at least once
during the past year was reported by 11 percent of Littlefield ISD 9th through 12th grade
students (12 percent statewide).

Fifty-four percent of LISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53
percent statewide), and 17 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (21
percent statewide). Six 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).

Twenty percent of the Littlefield ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used
at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (23 percent statewide).
Marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all parties was reported by 10 percent of district 7th
and 8th grade students (12 percent statewide) and 27 percent of LISD 9th through 12th grade
students (29 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Littlefield students reported a
disapproval rate of 85 percent (85 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students said they
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent statewide),
while 5 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Littlefield ISD students. Eight percent of
LISD students reported using uppers (8 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had used
powdered cocaine (7 percent statewide), 5 percent reported using downers (6 percent statewide),
4* percent said they had used hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 3 percent said they had used
steroids (2 percent statewide), 2 percent reported using crack (3 percent statewide), and 2*
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 Littlefield ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used
powdered cocaine, crack, or ecstasy, and over two times more likely to have used hallucinogens
or steroids than were district female students. There were no other significant differences by

6
gender among LISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants,
marijuana, uppers, or downers.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. However, LISD students living in two-parent homes
were somewhat more likely to have used powdered cocaine or steroids than were those district
students living in other family situations. There were no other significant differences by living
arrangement among Littlefield ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol,
inhalants, marijuana, or other illicit substances.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Littlefield students said they would seek help from their friends (75 percent/74 percent
statewide). Sixty-one percent of LISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend
or relative (58 percent statewide), and 57 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 (33 percent/32 percent statewide) (Fig.
17). Since school began in the Fall, 7 percent of Littlefield students reported seeking help for any
problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7
percent statewide).

Eighty-two* percent of Littlefield ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, compared to 75 percent of students
statewide. "An assembly program" was reported by 66* percent of district students as a source
for information about drugs and alcohol, a rate considerably higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide (44 percent). Forty-four percent of LISD students reported getting
information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (46 percent statewide). Thirty*
percent of Littlefield students said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information, a
rate lower than that reported by students statewide (38 percent).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety percent of Littlefield students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 88 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Seventy-seven percent of LISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (70 percent statewide), and 66* percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (60 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by students
statewide. By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 46
percent of LISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44 percent statewide),
while 38 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).