TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

MANSFIELD 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 Mansfield Independent School District (MISD). A total of 3171
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 156 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 3015.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-five percent of Mansfield ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 29* percent said they had used tobacco during the
past month (Fig. 2).2

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

•Sixty-eight* percent of Mansfield 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).

•Sixteen percent of Mansfield 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 21 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 5 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-nine percent of MISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 16 percent said they had used marijuana during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Mansfield 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 at school, such as
a teacher or nurse (26* 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 Mansfield ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Fifty-five percent of Mansfield students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime general tobacco use was lowest among district
7th graders (33* percent), a rate lower than that reported by 7th graders statewide (41 percent).
Sixty-seven* percent of Mansfield 10th grade students (60 percent statewide) and 68 percent of
MISD 12th grade students (63 percent statewide) reported lifetime use of a tobacco product,
rates somewhat higher than those reported by their peers statewide.

Twenty-nine* percent of Mansfield ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month (26 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco use was lowest among
MISD 7th grade students (14 percent/17 percent statewide). Thirty-eight* percent of Mansfield
10th graders (30 percent statewide) and 41* percent of district 11th graders (31 percent
statewide) reported using a tobacco product during the past month, rates higher than those
reported by 10th and 11th graders statewide.

Fifty-two percent of Mansfield students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (53 percent statewide), and 26 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (25 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 12* percent
of district students, compared to 8 percent of students statewide. Daily cigarette use was
reported by 19* percent of MISD 10th graders (11 percent statewide), 22* percent of Mansfield
ISD 12th graders (14 percent statewide), and 23* percent of district 11th graders (12 percent
statewide); rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Twenty-two percent
of MISD 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 23* percent of MISD students (16
percent statewide), while 9* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (5 percent statewide), rates somewhat 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 5 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 Mansfield ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two
years ago. Overall, Mansfield ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat similar to
those reported by their peers statewide.

Sixty-eight* percent of Mansfield 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 MISD 7th graders (42* percent), a rate lower than that reported by 7th graders statewide
(56 percent). The highest rate of lifetime alcohol use was reported among district 12th grade
students (86 percent/85 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-seven percent of Mansfield ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (38 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was lowest among MISD 7th
graders (16* percent/23 percent statewide) and Mansfield 8th graders (26* percent/32 percent
statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by 7th and 8th graders statewide. The
highest rate of alcohol use during the past month was reported among district 12th grade
students (56 percent/51 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Mansfield students are wine coolers (55*
percent/58 percent statewide) and beer (54 percent/56 percent statewide). Thirty-one percent of
MISD 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. Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 37
percent of MISD students (40 percent statewide), while 17 percent said they usually drink five or
more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (18 percent statewide). Thirty-six
percent of Mansfield ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their
lifetimes (37 percent statewide), while 20 percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a
time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Eight percent of Mansfield students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (9 percent statewide). The rates of attending while intoxicated ranged from
4* percent among MISD 7th graders (7 percent statewide) to 12 percent among district 12th
graders (11 percent statewide) (Figs. 9a and 9b).

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Sixteen percent of MISD 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 intoxicated was reported by Mansfield 12th graders (31 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-seven percent of Mansfield ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide). Thirty-three* percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (37 percent statewide), and 38
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 MISD students (9 percent statewide).

Thirty-eight percent of Mansfield students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide). The highest rates of alcohol use at most
or all parties were reported by district 11th graders (66* percent/55 percent statewide) and
MISD 12th graders (71* percent/61 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by 11th
and 12th graders statewide (Figs. 13a and 13b). Thirty-nine* percent of district students
responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (43
percent statewide), while 16 percent of MISD 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 MISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (22 percent/25 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (42 percent/44 percent
statewide). Sixty-four percent of Mansfield 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 23 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, 79* percent of Mansfield students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Seven* percent of
district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer
(9 percent statewide), and 10 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (10
percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

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

Twenty-one percent of Mansfield students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (20 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was lowest among district 7th
grade students (18 percent/22 percent statewide). Twenty-one* percent of Mansfield 12th
graders (14 percent statewide) and 24* percent of MISD 11th graders (16 percent statewide),
rates higher than those reported by 12th and 11th graders statewide (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Five percent of Mansfield ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Three percent of MISD 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
MISD 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 Mansfield students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (10 percent/9 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students reported inhaling
substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 7 percent reported inhaling
gasoline (5 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled glue (5 percent statewide), 6
percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), and 6 percent said they had
inhaled paint thinner (5 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 Mansfield ISD, 32 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 25 percent of MISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (25 percent statewide), rates similar to those reported

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
by students 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. Mansfield
students reported average usage rates of 3 times in the past month and 7 times during their
lifetimes.

Twenty-nine percent of MISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate similar to that reported by students statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana use
was lowest among Mansfield 7th graders (10* percent), a rate lower than that reported by 7th
graders statewide (17 percent). Twenty-eight* percent of Mansfield 9th grade students reported
lifetime marijuana use, compared to 35 percent of their 9th grade peers statewide. The highest
rate of lifetime marijuana use was reported among district 11th graders (47* percent), a rate
higher than that reported by 11th graders statewide (39 percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 16 percent of Mansfield ISD students (16 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month marijuana use was lowest among district 7th graders (5*
percent/9 percent statewide). Twenty-eight* percent of MISD 11th graders reported smoking
marijuana during the past month, a rate higher than that reported by 11th graders statewide (19
percent) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Twelve percent of MISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (13 percent statewide). The rates of class attendance while stoned ranged
from 4* percent among Mansfield 7th graders (7 percent statewide) to 18 percent among
Mansfield 11th graders (14 percent statewide) and 18* percent among district 12th graders (13
percent statewide) (Figs. 10a and 10b).

Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 15*
percent of Mansfield ISD 9th through 12th grade students (12 percent statewide). Driving under
the influence of drugs was highest among district 11th graders (24* percent/14 percent
statewide) and MISD 12th graders (27* percent/17 percent statewide), rates higher than those
reported by 11th and 12th graders statewide.

Fifty-three percent of MISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53
percent statewide), and 19 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-six* percent of the Mansfield 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 highest among district 11th
graders (48* percent/32 percent statewide) and MISD 12th graders (50* percent/33 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by 11th and 12th graders statewide.

Fewer Mansfield ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (7 percent/9 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (19 percent/20 percent statewide). Seven

6
percent of MISD students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (7 percent statewide). By contrast, 39 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).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Mansfield students reported a
disapproval rate of 89* percent (85 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 4 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Hallucinogens (11* percent/8 percent statewide) and uppers (10* percent/8 percent statewide)
are the next most frequently used illicit substances among Mansfield ISD students. Eight*
percent of MISD students reported using ecstasy (5 percent statewide), 7* percent reported
using downers (6 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (7 percent
statewide), and 4* percent reported using crack (3 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 Mansfield ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used a steroid
than were district female students. There were no other significant differences by gender among
MISD 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. MISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used inhalants, hallucinogens, uppers, downers, or ecstasy, and
nearly twice as likely to have smoked marijuana or used powdered cocaine than were those
district students living in homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences by
living arrangement among Mansfield 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 Mansfield students said they would seek help from their friends (80* percent), a rate
somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (74 percent). Fifty-six percent of
MISD 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 at school, such as a
teacher or nurse (26* percent/32 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 6
percent of Mansfield students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or
drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

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Sixty-six* percent of Mansfield ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, a rate somewhat lower than that
reported by students statewide (75 percent). Forty-nine* percent of MISD students reported
getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (46 percent statewide). "An
assembly program" was reported by 19* percent of district students as a source for information
about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 13* percent said "an invited school guest"
was a source for this information (38 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their
peers statewide.

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Eighty-nine percent of Mansfield 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-seven percent of MISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (76 percent statewide), and 59 percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (60 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 45 percent of MISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use
alcohol (44 percent statewide). Thirty-three* percent of Mansfield ISD students believe that
tobacco use is "very dangerous," a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide
(39 percent) (Fig. 13).