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Beliefs Predicting Support for Heroin Legalization

NCJ Number
163932
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 25 Issue: 4 Dated: (Fall 1995) Pages: 649- 668
Author(s)
J Littrell; S Diwan
Date Published
1995
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Two studies focused on the beliefs and perceptions about heroin that predict whether a person favors or opposes heroin legalization.
Abstract
The first study used factor analysis to examine data collected from 359 students at Georgia State University using a 45-item instrument. The identified factors were entered into a multiple regression predicting support for heroin legalization. The second study used a nine-item instrument, based mainly on results of the first study, to survey 805 representative residents of Georgia. Results revealed that the second study replicated the main findings of the first study. Demographically, those who oppose legalization were more likely to report that religion is very important to them. Females and Republicans were more likely to oppose legalization than males and Democrats. However, race did not distinguish persons for and against legalization. Those who believed that addiction is caused by drug characteristics and that individual factors such as genetics preferred the current policy. The strongest predictor of support for legalization was the pragmatic dimension, followed by the moral transgression dimension. In the larger sample, the civil liberty factor also contributed to prediction. Findings suggested that information pertinent to the factors that relate to policy preference will be crucial to achieving agreement on policy decisions. Tables and 26 references (Author abstract modified)

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