NCJ Number
166386
Date Published
1996
Length
55 pages
Annotation
This document presents data, from the Fall 1995 Maryland Household Opinion Poll, concerning citizens' opinions on drug-related issues.
Abstract
The report contains a description of the survey methodology and characteristics of survey respondents; highlights of the poll; comparison of the poll results with similar polls conducted in 1990, 1992, 1994, and the spring of 1995; and survey responses by demographic characteristics of the respondents. The survey found that a significant proportion of Maryland residents believe the use of marijuana, cocaine (including crack), and heroin is increasing in Maryland, and nearly half of the residents said they know someone who has become addicted to illegal drugs. The majority of respondents would favor requiring people to show identification prior to purchasing cigarettes from a vending machine and suspending the driver's license of underage drinkers. Maryland residents also favor requiring all high school students, especially athletes, to participate in random drug testing. Nearly half of Maryland residents think policymakers should study and debate eliminating criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of drugs, and the majority of residents would favor a needle exchange program to combat the spread of AIDS. Table, figures, appendix