Transcript Public poll results on attitudes to drug policy

Swedish Drug Users Union
The general opinions attitudes
on drug issues.
Report from a public poll.
3rd of December 2008
Per Fernström
Viktor Wemminger
The general opinions attitudes on drug issues.
• Swedish Drug Users Union main task is to strengthen and look after
the opiate users and/or those who have Opioid Substitution
Therapy(methadone/buprenorphine) social and public interests.
Swedish Drug Users Union was founded in 2002.
• Target audience: a cross-section of the Swedish population
regarding age, sex and geography, in the age group 18-74 years.
• The survey covers 1000 interviews which was conducted over
Novus Internet Panel during the period November 27 to December 1
2008.
INLEDNING – METOD & UTFÖRANDE
Implementation
The survey was conducted via interviews with a selection of respondents in
Novus Web Panel during the period 27 November to 1 December 2008. A total
of 1000 respondents aged 18 to 74 years was interviewed.
The selection of the study is made to represent the population of Sweden aged
18 to 74 years.
Novus Opinions Web Panel consists of 12 000 active respondents, spread
across the country. Recruitment is done primarily via random telephone
interviews. For each survey a stratified selection from the web panel is drawn
from the relevant public. In the data processing the results are considered with
regard to gender, age and political views.
In any survey, the results are considered to be approximations. The reliability
of the results are determined by the questions characteristics in terms of
expression and furthermore the form of selection and interview form.
INLEDNING – METOD & UTFÖRANDE
Key Findings:
The general opinions attitudes on drug issues.
•
The study shows that men, young people 18-35 years of age and people
in large cities have a slightly more liberal approach towards drugs. They
believe in a larger extent than others that, for example, possession or
cultivation of cannabis not should be penalized at all or should be
considered a minor crime with fines as punishment. They have also tried
illegal substances in a greater extent than others.
•
The family has the greatest importance, together with doctor/medical
care in the handling of problematic drug users. In the first instance it's the
family who are most important but the doctor/medical care is primarily
seen as the most important. Prevention activities and education is clearly
seen as the best methods to counteract drug abuse.
•
The majority are in favor of the society to provide sterile needles/syringes
but against that society should provide heroin to those who can not be
treated in any other way.
Result
8 of 10 believes that growing/possession of
cannabis for personal use should be penalized.
1 of 10 believes that no penalty at all should be sentenced.
How would you punish people for growing and/or possession
of cannabis for personal use?
No punishment at all
Men: 11%, Age: 18-34 years: 13%
8%
49%
With imprisonment
30%
With a fine
Other type of punishment
I don't know
0%
Age: 50-65 years: 56%
84 %
Large cities: 35%, Tested drugs: 39%
5%
Of those who tried any drug
most (39%) think that the most
appropriate penalty is a fine.
8%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
6 of 10 believe that a total war against cannabis is
the most effective method to control cannabis.
What is the most effective policy to control cannabis in your opinion?
Total war on cannabis: arresting
and imprisoning users and
traffickers
58%
Decriminalization of cannabis
use: punishing traffickers but not
users
15%
Regulate and tax cannabis, but
limiting sale and use to special
outlets for adults
Full legalization: selling cannabis
in supermarkets, no restrictions
on sale
Don't know
0%
Age: 35-50: 65%, 50-65: 66%
Age: 18-34: 22%, Largew cities: 24%
10%
Men: 13%, Age: 18-34: 19%
Of those who tried any drug 3 of 10 (33
%) believes in a total war on cannabis
compared to 6 of 10 (63%) of those who
never tried drugs. Total war is belived to
be the most effective method in both
groups.
3%
15%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
50% says that the main argument against using drugs
is that it is bad for their health.
What is the most important argument that stops you from using illegal drugs?
Because drug use is bad for my health
50%
Because I don't think drugs add anyhing to my life
32%
Because I don’t like the effect of drugs
8%
Because it is forbidden by law
7%
Because my religion doesn’t allow me to use drugs
Men: 10%
0%
Don't know
0%
3%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Family are most important in handling problematic drug users.
Doctor/medical care are most important
when combining first and second hand choice.
Rank the following people according to their importance in
dealing with problematic drug users.
.
39%
Family member
35%
Doctor/medical care workers
The police
Social Worker
15%
First
6%
9% 1%
36%
14%
39%
16%
20%
20%
17%
23%
28%
Second
16%
39%
12%
10%
Church representatives 1%
1%6%
0%
20%
19%
4%
76%
40%
Third
60%
80%
Forth
100%
Fifth
Prevention and education is considered best to
counteract drug abuse.
Rank the following actions after the role you think they have to counteract drug abuse.
57%
Prevention and education
27%
Arresting and punishing drug traffickers
Treatment and rehabilitation services
for drug users
Social care and harm reduction services
for drug users
Arresting and punishing drug users1%
0%
First
27%
10%
5%
9%
19%
24%
10%
20%
Second
18%
32%
20%
12%
26%
24%
28%
29%
14%
6% 5%
2%
10%
18%
65%
40%
Third
60%
80%
Fourth
100%
Fifth
More than 50% are in favor of the society
to provide sterile needles/syringes.
To what extent do you agree with the following statement?
a) Society should provide sterile needles to drug users to stop the spread of blood born
infections like HIV and hepatitis.
100%
Those who are most positive are women (60%),
people in larger cities (65%) and the really welleducated (67%). Those who are most opposed
are men (37%), older 50-65 years (39%). 3 of 4
who tried drugs are positive to help with sterile
needles/syringes.
80%
60%
57 %
40%
32 %
35%
22%
20%
20%
12%
11%
0%
Fully agree
Predominant
positive
Predominant
negative
Do not agree
Don't know
2 out of 3 are against that society should prescribe heroin
for addicts who cannot be treated in any other way.
To what extent do you agree with the following statement?
b) Society should prescribe heroin for those addicts who cannot be treated in any other
way?
100%
80%
Those who are most positive are men (24%),
older 50-65 years (25%). Those who are most
opposed are middle-aged 35-50 years (68%).
1 of 3 (35%) who tried drugs are positive
towards society prescribing heroin to addicts..
60%
63 %
40%
40%
21 %
23%
17%
16%
20%
5%
0%
Fully agree
Predominant
positive
Predominant
negative
Do not agree
Don't know
1 out of 5 have tried illegal substances/drugs.
9 out of 10 who have tried illegal substances/drugs tested cannabis.
Which of the following illegal substances have you tried?
None
82%
Cannabis
16%
Amphetamines
5%
Cocaine
50-65 years: 90%
Men: 19%, -50 years: 23%, Larger cities: 24%
35-50 years: 9%
3%
Ecstasy
2%
Mushrooms
2%
Heroin
1%
LSD
1%
Others
18% have tried any of the mentioned drugs.
1 out of 4 under 50 years have tried any of
these substances (26 %). Approximately the
same proportion of people in larger cities
have tried (27 %).
3%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Summary
INLEDNING – METOD & UTFÖRANDE
Summary
The general opinions attitudes on drug issues
•
8 of 10 believes that growing/possession of cannabis for personal use
should be penalized
-
•
1 of 10 believes that no penalty at all should be sentenced.
6 of 10 believe that a total war against cannabis is the most effective
method to control cannabis.
50% says that the main argument against using drugs is that it’s bad for
their health.
Family are most important in handling problematic drug users.
•
•
-
•
•
Doctor/medical care are most important when combining first and second hand choice.
Prevention and education is considered best to counteract drug abuse.
More than 50% are in favor of the society to provide sterile
needles/syringes.
2 out of 3 are against that society should prescribe heroin for addicts who
cannot be treated in any other way.
1 out of 5 have tried illegal substances/drugs.
•
•
-
9 out of 10 who have tried illegal substances/drugs tested cannabis.