NCJ Number
112680
Journal
International Journal of the Addictions Volume: 23 Issue: 5 Dated: (1988) Pages: 491-507
Date Published
1988
Length
17 pages
Annotation
A survey of North Queensland residents indicates education is the most favored and treatment the least favored intervention strategy in fighting drug abuse.
Abstract
In April 1986 the Australian Federal Government, in conjunction with all the States, launched the 3-year National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NCADA). The first stage of NCADA involved a media campaign and the delivery of a drug education booklet to every household in Australia. The survey reported in this article solicited advice from a sample of 919 North Queensland residents regarding how the government should attack the drug problem. A sample of 410 respondents were interviewed before and after the campaign's first stage, and 509 respondents were interviewed only after the campaign's first stage. The three basic drug-fighting strategies presented to respondents through the survey were education, social control, and treatment. Respondents most favored education among the three strategies, with treatment being the least favored. There is strong evidence that respondents did not agree about the definitions of the three intervention mechanisms. There is limited evidence that respondents' recommendations vary according to personal and socioeconomic background. 1 figure, 9 tables, 11 references. (Author abstract modified)