NCJ Number
157854
Date Published
1993
Length
6 pages
Annotation
An interview survey conducted in England and Scotland in 1992 gathered information about public attitudes toward drugs and drug prevention and their drug use experience.
Abstract
The data came from 5,000 people in Glasgow, Bradford, Nottingham, and the London Borough of Lewisham, including 1,000 people ages 16 and over and 250 young people ages 16 to the mid-20's in each city. Results revealed that only a small percentage of the main reported ever taking illicit drugs; the figures ranged from 13 percent in Bradford to 19 percent in Lewisham. Among the additional samples of younger people, the figures ranged from 32 percent for Bradford to 52 percent for Glasgow. Drug use during the last year was much extensive than lifetime drug use. Fewer than 1 percent of those ages 45 and older had used any illicit drug within the last year. Use of any specific drug at least once a month was comparatively rare. A higher percentage of males than females reported illicit drug use. Marijuana was by far the most common illicit drug. Fewer than 1 percent of the participants reported having ever injected a drug. Participants reported than most drugs were readily available. Public awareness of drug use was high. Education had the most support among options for addressing drugs. Two-thirds of participants supported keeping the current drug laws. Footnote