NCJ Number
140167
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 22 Issue: 4 Dated: (Fall 1992) Pages: 903-922
Date Published
1992
Length
20 pages
Annotation
The strength of support for severe anti-drug policies outside the United States was assessed by administering a 50- item questionnaire to 241 Dutch and 226 Canadian university students. The Canadian students were enrolled in a social issues course that discussed evidence for and against current anti-drug policies; these students completed a pre- and post- course survey.
Abstract
Five underlying factors were identified by the researchers: temperance outlook, antipathy toward addictive drugs, need for awareness of the dangers of drugs, support for draconian rather than administrative methods, and personal responsibility for anti-social acts. Compared to the Dutch sample, the Canadian students scored higher on many individual questionnaire items and on the first four underlying factors, which indicated support for anti-drug policies. However, the results revealed that both groups showed considerable polarization in their responses as well as moderate support for current anti-drug attitudes and policy. Interestingly, the Canadian students shifted away from support for anti-drug policies after completing the social issues course, suggesting that there may not be a strong international consensus on this issue. 3 tables, 1 figure, 5 notes, and 29 notes