NCJ Number
134319
Date Published
1991
Length
39 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings of a telephone survey of 500 adults in Multnomah County, Oregon regarding their attitudes about alcohol and other drug use.
Abstract
Crime (19 percent) was stated to be the most important problem facing people in Multnomah County, followed by drugs (13 percent), lack of jobs and school funding (6 percent), and homelessness and gangs (5 percent). Almost half of the respondents thought 40 percent or more of the high school students in the community used illegal drugs. This perception was higher than the level of actual use reported in other surveys. Smoking a pack of cigarettes daily was viewed as a greater health risk by 60 percent of the respondents than having one or two alcoholic drinks per day or the occasional use of marijuana. Almost 75 percent of the respondents thought it would not be difficult to obtain marijuana in the community, and over half thought that of cocaine. Respondents thought treatment was generally available to the general populations, except for low income persons. Among the major sources of information on illegal drugs were television and newspapers, particularly for adults over the age 25. Neither the law nor its enforcement was considered adequate. In addition, the responses indicated that citizens were ready to step forward to help a friend or co-worker who is abusing alcohol or other drugs, but requested guidance on the best way to help. Only a small percentage of the respondents knew of the Regional Drug Initiative and its preventive efforts. 17 figures