TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

AMARILLO 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 Amarillo Independent School District (AISD). A total of 3705
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 268 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 3437.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-three* percent of Amarillo ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 34* percent said they had used tobacco during
the past month (Fig. 2).2

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

•Seventy-six* percent of Amarillo ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 42* percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Seventeen percent of Amarillo 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 24* percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 6 percent (Fig. 2).

•Thirty-seven* percent of AISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 20* percent said they had used marijuana during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Amarillo ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (76 percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school, such as a
teacher or nurse (28* percent), or a counselor or program in school (29* 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 Amarillo ISD students is higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide.

Sixty-three* percent of Amarillo 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 (52* percent), a rate higher than that reported by 7th
graders statewide (41 percent). Sixty-six* percent of AISD 8th grade students (52 percent
statewide), 66* percent of Amarillo 9th grade students (58 percent statewide), and 69* percent
of district 11th grade students reported using a tobacco product at least once during their
lifetimes, rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide.

Thirty-four* percent of Amarillo ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month, compared to 26 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco
use was lowest among AISD 7th grade students (26* percent/17 percent statewide) and Amarillo
8th grade students (36* percent/23* percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their
7th and 8th grade peers statewide. Forty percent of district 12th graders reported using a
tobacco product during the past month (34 percent statewide).

Sixty* percent of Amarillo students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (53 percent statewide), and 32* 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 12* percent of district students (8 percent
statewide). Daily cigarette use was highest among Amarillo ISD 11th graders (20* percent/12
percent statewide). Twenty-seven* percent of AISD students said most or all of their close
friends smoke cigarettes (21 percent 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 25* percent of AISD students (16
percent statewide), while 9* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (5 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Using
a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 2* percent of district students (1
percent statewide), and 6* 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 Amarillo ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two
years ago. Overall, Amarillo ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat similar to
those reported by their peers statewide.

Seventy-six* percent of Amarillo students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 64* percent of
AISD 7th graders (56 percent statewide) and 75* percent of Amarillo 8th graders (68 percent
statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by 7th and 8th graders statewide. Eighty-
five percent of district 12th grade students reported lifetime alcohol use, the same rate reported
by 12th grade students statewide (Fig. 3).

Forty-two* percent of Amarillo ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (38 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was reported by 41* percent of
AISD 8th graders, a rate higher than that reported by 8th graders statewide (32 percent). Fifty-
two percent of district 12th grade students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month
(51 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Amarillo students are wine coolers (62*
percent/58 percent statewide) and beer (58 percent/56 percent statewide). Thirty-five percent of
AISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (33 percent statewide), and 33*
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. Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 44*
percent of AISD students (40 percent statewide), while 24* percent said they usually drink five
or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (18 percent statewide). Forty-one*
percent of Amarillo ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their
lifetimes (37 percent statewide), while 23* percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a
time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Nine percent of Amarillo students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (9 percent statewide) (Figs. 9a and 9b). Seventeen percent of AISD 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). The highest rate of driving while

3
intoxicated was reported by Amarillo 12th graders (30 percent/26 percent statewide). Driving
while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 4 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-eight* percent of Amarillo ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide). Forty-one* percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (37 percent statewide), and 43*
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 11* percent of AISD students (9 percent statewide).

Forty-one* percent of Amarillo students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide). The highest rate of alcohol use at most
or all parties was reported by AISD 12th graders (64 percent/61 percent statewide) (Figs. 13a
and 13b). Forty-five percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they
obtain alcohol most of the time or always (43 percent statewide), while 13* percent of AISD
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 AISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (27 percent/25 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (47 percent/44 percent
statewide). Sixty-six* percent of Amarillo 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 29* 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, 77 percent of Amarillo students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Eight percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9
percent statewide), and 11 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (10 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

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.

4
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, Amarillo ISD
students are using inhalants at rates somewhat higher than those reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Twenty-four* percent of Amarillo students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (20 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was highest among district 8th
grade students (34* percent), a rate higher than that reported by 8th grade students statewide (24
percent). Fourteen percent of AISD 12th grade students reported lifetime inhalant use (14
percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Six percent of Amarillo ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Four* percent of AISD 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). Fourteen* percent of
AISD 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 Amarillo students were correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (10 percent/9 percent statewide), liquid/spray paint (10* percent/7 percent statewide),
those in the "other inhalants" category (10* percent/8 percent statewide), and gasoline (9*
percent/5 percent statewide) (Figs. 7a and 7b).

Fewer Amarillo ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
inhalants during the past month (3 percent/4 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (6 percent/6 percent statewide). Three percent
of AISD students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using inhalants
within the past 30 days (3 percent statewide). By contrast, 12 percent of district students who
had gotten into trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using inhalants during
the past 30 days (11 percent statewide).

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 Amarillo ISD, 40* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 30* percent of AISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (25 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than

5
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. Amarillo students reported average usage rates of 2.7 times in the past month and 7.4
times during their lifetimes.

Thirty-seven* percent of AISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime
marijuana use was reported by 37* percent of Amarillo 8th graders (26 percent statewide) and
42* percent of AISD 9th graders (35 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by 8th
and 9th graders statewide. Forty-two percent of district 11th grade students said they had
smoked marijuana at least once during their lifetimes (39 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 20* percent of Amarillo ISD students (16 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 23* percent of district 8th
graders (14 percent statewide) and 25* percent of AISD 9th graders (19 percent statewide), rates
higher than those reported by students statewide (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Fifteen* percent of AISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (13 percent statewide). Attending class while stoned was reported by 17
percent of Amarillo 10th graders (14 percent statewide) and 20 percent of district 9th graders (16
percent statewide) (Figs. 10a and 10b). Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during
the past year was reported by 14 percent of Amarillo ISD 9th through 12th grade students (12
percent statewide). Driving under the influence of drugs was reported by 18 percent of AISD
12th graders (17 percent statewide).

Fifty-six* percent of AISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53
percent statewide), and 25* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (21
percent 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).

Twenty-five* percent of the Amarillo 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).
The use of marijuana and/or other drugs at most or all parties was reported by 22* percent of
district 8th graders (15 percent statewide) and 30* percent of AISD 9th graders (25 percent
statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by 8th and 9th graders statewide.

Fewer Amarillo ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (12* percent/9 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (23 percent/20 percent statewide). Nine*
percent of AISD students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (7 percent statewide). By contrast, 44* 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 (38 percent statewide).

6
When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Amarillo students reported a
disapproval rate of 85 percent (85 percent statewide). Seven 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).

Uppers (10* percent/8 percent statewide) and hallucinogens (9* percent/8 percent statewide) are
the next most frequently used illicit substances among Amarillo ISD students. Seven percent of
AISD students said they had used powdered cocaine (7 percent statewide), 6 percent reported
using downers (6 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 Amarillo ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used powdered
cocaine than were district female students. On the other hand, AISD female students were
somewhat more likely to have used uppers than were Amarillo male students. There were no
other significant differences by gender among AISD students with regard to the use of tobacco
products, alcohol, inhalants, 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. AISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have smoked marijuana or used powdered cocaine, hallucinogens,
uppers, or ecstasy than were those district students living in homes with two parents. There were
no other significant differences by living arrangement among Amarillo ISD students with regard
to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Amarillo students said they would seek help from their friends (76 percent/74 percent
statewide). Fifty-eight percent of AISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend
or relative (58 percent statewide), and 54 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 (28* percent/32 percent statewide), or a
counselor or program in school (29* percent/35 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than
those reported by students statewide (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 6 percent of
Amarillo students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use
from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Eighty-three* percent of Amarillo 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 54* percent of district students as a source
for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 52* percent reported
getting this information from a "health class" (46 percent statewide), and 47* percent said "an

7
invited school guest" was a source for information about drugs and alcohol (38 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide.

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Eighty-seven percent of Amarillo students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 86 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Seventy-three* percent of AISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (76 percent statewide), and 56* percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (60 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 40* percent of AISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use
alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 32* percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous"
(39 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their peers statewide (Fig.
13).