TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

KARNES CITY 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 Karnes City Independent School District (KCISD). A
total of 444 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 28 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 416.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-five percent of Karnes City ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 22 percent said they had used tobacco during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•Two percent of KCISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 3
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Seventy-six percent of Karnes City ISD students said they had used alcohol at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 38 percent reported using alcohol during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•Ten percent of KCISD students reported attending at least one class during the past
year while "drunk," and 19 percent of district 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 15 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 5 percent (Fig. 2).

•Thirteen* percent of KCISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 3 percent said they had used marijuana during the
past month (Fig. 2).
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."

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•Karnes City ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (71 percent) and least likely to consult a medical doctor (34
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 Karnes City ISD students is similar to that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Fifty-five percent of Karnes City students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was reported by 48 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (46 percent statewide) and 59 percent of KCISD 9th through 12th
graders (60 percent statewide).

Twenty-two percent of Karnes City ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during
the past month (24 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current general tobacco use was reported by 18
percent of KCISD 7th and 8th grade students (20 percent statewide) and 25 percent of district
9th through 12th grade students (27 percent statewide).

Fifty-one percent of Karnes City students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 17 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (22 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 2 percent of
district students (7 percent statewide). Daily use of cigarettes was reported by 1 percent of
Karnes City 7th and 8th grade students (4 percent statewide) and 2 percent of district 9th
through 12th grade students (9 percent statewide). Fourteen percent of KCISD students said
most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 21 percent of KCISD students (17
percent statewide), while 9 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 3 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 Karnes City
ISD. Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years

2
ago. Overall, Karnes City ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates similar to those reported by
their peers statewide.

Seventy-six percent of Karnes City students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 66 percent
of KCISD 7th and 8th graders (63 percent statewide) and 83 percent of district 9th through 12th
graders (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-eight percent of Karnes City ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the
past month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was reported by 25 percent of
district 7th and 8th grade students (29 percent statewide) and 48 percent of KCISD 9th through
12th grade students (46 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Karnes City students are beer (63 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (65 percent/61 percent statewide). Forty percent of KCISD
students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and 33
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. Forty-four percent of Karnes City ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past-year (39 percent statewide), while 26 percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (20 percent
statewide). Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 44 percent of KCISD
students (41 percent statewide), while 22 percent said they usually drink five or more wine
coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Ten percent of Karnes City students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Class attendance while intoxicated was reported by
10 percent of KCISD 7th and 8th graders (9 percent statewide) and 9 percent of district 9th
through 12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

Nineteen percent of KCISD 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 3 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-six percent of Karnes City ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or
liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Forty-six percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide),
and 41 percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the
time or always (40 percent statewide). "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's
own drinking was reported by 9 percent of KCISD students (10 percent statewide).

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Forty-two percent of Karnes City students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide). Alcohol use at most or all parties
was reported by 12 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (19 percent statewide) and 61 percent
of KCISD 9th through 12th graders (51 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Forty-eight percent of
district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the
time or always (44 percent statewide), while 12* percent of KCISD students said they get
alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (21 percent statewide).2

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 KCISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (29 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (46 percent/47 percent
statewide). Fifty* 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 30* 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).

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, 72 percent of Karnes City
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Ten percent of
district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer
(10 percent statewide), and 13 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, Karnes City ISD students are
using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

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.

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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Fifteen percent of Karnes City students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 18 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (22 percent statewide) and 13 percent of KCISD 9th through 12th
graders (17 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Five percent of Karnes City ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current inhalant use was reported by 6 percent of district 7th and
8th grade students (7 percent statewide) and 4 percent of KCISD 9th through 12th grade
students (4 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a & 6b).

Four percent of KCISD 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 (3 percent statewide). Eleven percent of KCISD 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 Karnes City students was correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (12 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 liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had inhaled
glue (6 percent statewide), and 4 percent reported inhaling gasoline (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
marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased among students
statewide over the last two years.

In the Karnes City ISD, 15* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes, a rate lower than that reported by peers statewide (28 percent). Ten percent of
KCISD 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. Karnes City
students reported average usage rates of 0 times in the past month and 1.6 times during their
lifetimes.

Thirteen* percent of KCISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
compared to 25 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana use was reported by
9 percent of Karnes City 7th and 8th grade students (17 percent statewide) and 16* percent of
district 9th through 12th grade students (31 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported
by their peers statewide (Figs. 5a & 5b).

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Past-month marijuana use was reported by 3 percent of Karnes City ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Current marijuana use was not reported by district 7th and 8th graders (8
percent statewide). Six percent of KCISD 9th through 12th graders reported past-month
marijuana use (14 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a & 6b).

Four percent of KCISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide). Class attendance while "stoned" was reported by 1
percent of Karnes City 7th and 8th graders (7 percent statewide) and 6 percent of district 9th
through 12th graders (11 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 5 percent of Karnes City ISD 9th through 12th
grade students (8 percent statewide).

Thirty-nine* percent of KCISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain
(48 percent statewide), and 7 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana
(17 percent statewide). Three 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).

Seven percent of Karnes City 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). Marijuana
and/or other drug use at most or all parties was reported by 1 percent of district 7th and 8th
grade students (9 percent statewide) and 11* percent of KCISD 9th through 12th grade students
(22 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Karnes City students reported a
disapproval rate of 87 percent (87 percent statewide). Nine percent of district students said they
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent statewide),
while 2 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig.
15).

Powdered cocaine is the next most frequently used illicit substance among Karnes City ISD
students (4 percent/5 percent statewide). Reported use of powdered cocaine was highest among
district 9th through 12th grade students (4 percent/6 percent statewide). Three percent of
KCISD students reported using uppers (7 percent statewide), 2 percent reported using downers
(5 percent statewide), 2 percent reported using crack (2 percent statewide), and 2 percent said
they had used steroids (2 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
Karnes City ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used tobacco or inhalants
and were over two times more likely to have used marijuana than were district female students.
District male students were also the only reported users of ecstasy. There were no significant

6
differences by gender among KCISD students with regard to alcohol or other illicit substance
use.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. KCISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used tobacco or inhalants and nearly two times more likely to
have used marijuana than were those district students living in homes with two parents. Those
district students living in other family situations were also the only reported users of ecstasy.
There were no significant differences by living arrangement among Karnes City ISD students
with regard to alcohol or other illegal drug use.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Karnes City students said they would seek help from their friends (71 percent/74
percent statewide). Sixty-three percent of KCISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 53 percent said they would turn to their
parents (54 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a medical
doctor (34 percent/38 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 5 percent of
Karnes City students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use
from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Eighty-seven* percent of Karnes City 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 75* percent of district students as a source for this
information (53 percent statewide), while 72* percent said "an invited school guest" was a
source for information about drugs and alcohol (46 percent statewide). Forty-six percent of
KCISD 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-one percent of Karnes City students believe that crack use is
"very dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 91 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is
"very dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty percent of KCISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 79* percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol
and tobacco use is lower. Only 51 percent of KCISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to
use alcohol (46 percent statewide), while 35 percent believe that tobacco use is "very
dangerous" (41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).