Prychological Reports, 1991, 69, 778.
O Psychological Reports 1991
METHADONE PATIENTS' OPINIONS ON LEGALIZATION OF DRUGS ' J. RAY HAYS
WILLIAM GAY
University of Texas Medical School Houston
Houston, Texas
Summary.-Clear differences in the attitudes of 1,226 adults in a Gallup survey and 130 patients in 4 methadone treatment programs were observed. Patients were more permissive on legalization of use of and education about drugs than the adult sample. A Gallup survey of 1,226 adults in the United States reported that adults reject the idea that ceitain drugs should be legalized, despite a growing number of experts who make a case for legalization (Colasanto, 1990). One subset of the population not surveyed by the Gallup poll was individuals in drug treatment. We decided to ask their opinion of legalization of drugs. A 12-item questionnaire was written to track the Gallup survey and to answer some additional questions. Patients at four private methadone treatment programs in the Houston area were given the questionnaire. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. A total of 151 questionnaires were returned, of which 130 had complete data and were used in the analysis. The sample had a mean age of 37 years (SD = 6.8 yr.) and was 62% male and 38% female. On average they had used drugs for 12 years (SD= 6.7 yr.) and had been in treatment for 5 years (SD = 5.4 yr.). As could be predicted, addicts tended to be more 'permissive on the question of legalization of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin than the Gallup sample. The addicts were much more likely to endorse some legalization than the Gallup sample (addicts 47% versus 2% of the Gallup sample). Also, the addicts were less likely to beheve chat legalization would be a bad idea than those in the Gallup sample (25% addicts versus 80% Gallup). Asked if making more drugs legal would change participation m treatment programs, [he addicts indicated that it would make access to treatment easier (34% addicts versus 19% Gallup). On the question of the effect of legalization on government efforts to educate people about the danger of drugs the addicts indicated that legalization would improve things (53% addicts versus 20% Gallup). When asked if legalization would lead to more drug use 34% of addicts indicated that more people would use'drugs, 17% indicated fewer people would use drugs, and 45% indicated the number using drugs would be unchanged. When they were asked if drugs were legal would they now be in treatment, 47% of the addicts indicated they would and 26% inhcated they would not. The addicts also did not believe that enough money was being spent on drug treatment (83%). There appears to be a substantial difference in the attitudes of the treated population and the general population on the issue of legalization of drugs. What remains certain is that legalization of drugs is a political issue which involves numerous vested groups, as well as moral, ethical, and social values. Any decision by political bodies to s M t the legal status of drugs must be accountable to these various interests. REFERENCE COLASANTO, D. (1991) Widespread opposition to drug legalization. The Gallup Poll News Service, 54(No. 3 3 , 1-3. Accepk-d October 14, 1991. 'Address correspondence to J. Ray Hays, Ph.D., D., Department of Psychiatry, UTMSH, P O Box 20149, Houston, TX 77225-0249. A copy o/;he questionnaire with percentage responses is available from JRH.
O Psychological Reports 1991
METHADONE PATIENTS' OPINIONS ON LEGALIZATION OF DRUGS ' J. RAY HAYS
WILLIAM GAY
University of Texas Medical School Houston
Houston, Texas
Summary.-Clear differences in the attitudes of 1,226 adults in a Gallup survey and 130 patients in 4 methadone treatment programs were observed. Patients were more permissive on legalization of use of and education about drugs than the adult sample. A Gallup survey of 1,226 adults in the United States reported that adults reject the idea that ceitain drugs should be legalized, despite a growing number of experts who make a case for legalization (Colasanto, 1990). One subset of the population not surveyed by the Gallup poll was individuals in drug treatment. We decided to ask their opinion of legalization of drugs. A 12-item questionnaire was written to track the Gallup survey and to answer some additional questions. Patients at four private methadone treatment programs in the Houston area were given the questionnaire. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. A total of 151 questionnaires were returned, of which 130 had complete data and were used in the analysis. The sample had a mean age of 37 years (SD = 6.8 yr.) and was 62% male and 38% female. On average they had used drugs for 12 years (SD= 6.7 yr.) and had been in treatment for 5 years (SD = 5.4 yr.). As could be predicted, addicts tended to be more 'permissive on the question of legalization of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin than the Gallup sample. The addicts were much more likely to endorse some legalization than the Gallup sample (addicts 47% versus 2% of the Gallup sample). Also, the addicts were less likely to beheve chat legalization would be a bad idea than those in the Gallup sample (25% addicts versus 80% Gallup). Asked if making more drugs legal would change participation m treatment programs, [he addicts indicated that it would make access to treatment easier (34% addicts versus 19% Gallup). On the question of the effect of legalization on government efforts to educate people about the danger of drugs the addicts indicated that legalization would improve things (53% addicts versus 20% Gallup). When asked if legalization would lead to more drug use 34% of addicts indicated that more people would use'drugs, 17% indicated fewer people would use drugs, and 45% indicated the number using drugs would be unchanged. When they were asked if drugs were legal would they now be in treatment, 47% of the addicts indicated they would and 26% inhcated they would not. The addicts also did not believe that enough money was being spent on drug treatment (83%). There appears to be a substantial difference in the attitudes of the treated population and the general population on the issue of legalization of drugs. What remains certain is that legalization of drugs is a political issue which involves numerous vested groups, as well as moral, ethical, and social values. Any decision by political bodies to s M t the legal status of drugs must be accountable to these various interests. REFERENCE COLASANTO, D. (1991) Widespread opposition to drug legalization. The Gallup Poll News Service, 54(No. 3 3 , 1-3. Accepk-d October 14, 1991. 'Address correspondence to J. Ray Hays, Ph.D., D., Department of Psychiatry, UTMSH, P O Box 20149, Houston, TX 77225-0249. A copy o/;he questionnaire with percentage responses is available from JRH.
