cannabisnews.com: The Uncovered Poll 










  The Uncovered Poll 

Posted by FoM on April 21, 2002 at 16:45:50 PT
Drugs Uncovered: Observer Special 
Source: Observer UK 

Many of us believe that alcohol and tobacco pose a greater health risk than ecstasy or cocaine. This special Observer poll reveals a nation with complex, shifting views on drugs.  Consumption: what and whenHave you ever taken an illegal drug? 
Yes: 28% No: 72%Among the UK population aged 16 or over, 28 per cent (about 13m adults) have taken illegal drugs at some point, with men more than twice as likely to have done so as women (38 and 18 per cent respectively). Age is also a key factor: from a figure of 51 per cent for those between 16 and 24, each successive age group is progressively less likely to have taken illegal drugs. In terms of regional differences, drug taking is most prevalent in the South East: 35 per cent of adults compared to 20 per cent of adults in the North. Which of the following drugs have you ever taken?  (Asked of respondents who have ever taken an illegal drug.)Ecstasy 27%Amphetamines (speed) 25%LSD 22%Cocaine 22%Magic mushrooms 21%Crack 7%Ketamine 4%Heroin 4%Cannabis is the most popular drug among all age groups. The second most popular depends on age: ecstasy among 16-35 year-olds, LSD among 35-54 year-olds, and magic mushrooms among those aged 55 or over. Amphetamines still score highly, but their use is declining. Those aged 16-35 are more likely to take ecstasy, while those aged 35-54 are more likely to take cocaine. Cannabis is seen as a gateway drug by many opposed to decriminalisation. However, among the 73 per cent of drug users who began with cannabis, only a small proportion have subsequently tried 'hard' drugs such as crack (6 per cent), amphetamines (24 per cent), LSD (22 per cent) and cocaine (20 per cent). How do/did you generally buy illegal drugs? (Asked of respondents who have ever taken an illegal drug.)From a dealer you know 33%From a dealer you don't know 7%A friend buys them on your behalf 60% Do you still take illegal drugs, even if only occasionally? (Asked of respondents who have ever taken an illegal drug.)Yes 48% No 52% How regularly do you take illegal drugs? (Asked of respondents who still take illegal drugs.)Daily 17%Weekly 32%Monthly 19%Less often 32% When you take drugs, are you more likely to take them at home/friend's home, or in a club/pub/bar environment? (Asked of respondents who still take illegal drugs.)Home/friend's home 80%Pub/club/bar 20%While drug transactions and usage are often depicted as seedy encounters with shady characters prior to a frenzied night of clubbing, the truth is more mundane. Only 7 per cent buy drugs from strangers. Men are more likely than women to take drugs habitually: 21 per cent of men who currently take drugs do so daily, compared to just 9 per cent of women. While levels of drug use are highest in the South East, it appears that much of this is dabbling, taking drugs at a special occasion. Only 7 per cent of current drug users in the South East take drugs daily, compared to 26 per cent of users in the rest of the country. Due to the regularity of drug consumption for many, it is, perhaps, unsurprising that 80 per cent of drug users are more likely to use drugs at home than in a public place such as a pub, club or bar. How much do you spend on drugs in an average month? (Asked of all respondents.)Mean figure among all respondents £8.66Mean figure among drug users £51.39This compares with an average spend among British adults of £43.88 per month on alcohol, and £25.17 per month on tobacco products. Drug users spend an average of £81.36 per month on alcohol, alongside the £51.39 they spend on drugs. Have you ever sold drugs for profit? (Asked of respondents who have ever take an illegal drug.)Yes 11% No 89%Have you ever bought drugs on behalf of your friends or supplied drugs to friends without making a profit? (Asked of respondents who have ever taken an illegal drug.)Yes 34% No 66% Do you think the law should differentiate between those who sell drugs for profit and those who don't (eg. to friends)? (Asked of all respondents.)Yes 31% No 69%At present the law does not differentiate. Among those who have ever taken drugs, 34 per cent say they have supplied them to friends without profiting. Adding in those who have sold for profit, close to 10 per cent of the UK adult population (over 4m adults) could be classified as drug dealers. Among the 16-35 population of the UK, the relative numbers are even higher: 16 per cent could be classified as drug dealers.Early experiencesWhich of the following best describes why you first took drugs? (Asked of respondents who have ever taken an illegal drug.)Curiosity 75%Peer pressure 22%Desire to emulate heroes 3%What was the first illegal drug you ever took? (Asked of respondents who have ever taken an illegal drug.)Cannabis 77%LSD 5%Ecstasy 4%Amphetamines (speed) 4%Magic mushrooms 3%Cocaine 3%Crack 1%Other 3%Among those who have taken an illegal drug, the average age of the first experience is 18, with men tending to experiment at a slightly younger age than women. Interestingly, among those who have at some time taken drugs, but no longer do, the average age for stopping is 23. This suggests that, for many, experimentation with drugs represents a relatively harmless rite of passage, possibly associated with a specific period in their life, such as university. Curiosity is much more of an influence than peer pressure, the cause often identified by many parents. However, women and younger drug users are more likely to ascribe their first experience of drugs to peer pressure. Do you think your child(ren) has/have ever taken illegal drugs? (Asked of respondents with children aged between 12 and 35.)Yes, certainly 7%Yes, probably 9%No 65%Unsure 19%Do you think that your child(ren) would ever take illegal drugs? (Asked of respondents with children aged between 12 and 35.)Yes, certainly 5%Yes, probably 11%No 53%Unsure 31%Of adults aged between 16 and 35, 45 per cent have taken illegal drugs at some point in their lives. However, only 7 per cent of parents with children aged between 12 and 35 are certain that their children have taken drugs. Parents who have taken drugs themselves are twice as likely to believe that their children have either certainly or probably taken drugs (26 per cent as opposed to 13 per cent). Also, parents who believe that certain drugs should be legalised or decriminalised are also more likely to believe that their children have taken drugs (20 per cent as opposed to 14 per cent). Only 45 per cent of parents are confident their children never have or never would take illegal drugs.Crime and punishmentFrom what you have seen or heard, what percentage of street crime and burglary do you estimate is either directly or indirectly related to drugs? (Asked of all respondents.)Mean figure 66%Do you believe that levels of street crime and burglary would be reduced if hard drugs were decriminalised? (Asked of all respondents.)Would be reduced 45%Would make no difference 55%Have you ever committed a criminal act to fund your purchase of drugs? (Asked of all respondents who have ever taken illegal drugs.)Yes 6% No 94%The perception among UK adults is that, either directly or indirectly, drugs are responsible for 66 per cent of all street crime and burglary. There is little regional variation in the estimates, with those in the north of England, attributing the highest percentage of crime to drugs (70 per cent) and those in the South East estimating the lowest figure (62 per cent). Those who have never taken an illegal drug are likely to attribute a higher proportion of crime to drugs than those who have taken drugs (69 per cent and 58 per cent respectively). Age impacts upon the proportion of crime attributed to drugs: those aged 55 plus estimate that 72 per cent of street crime is committed because of drugs. However, what is clear, despite these fluctuations, is that all sections of society feel that drugs and street crime/burglary are intrinsically linked. A government intent on decriminalising hard drugs would be best advised to use the increasing fear of crime among the electorate to sell the idea: 45 per cent of adults believe that levels of street crime and burglary would be reduced if hard drugs were decriminalised. Among those who believe some drugs should be legalised or decriminalised, this figure rises to 53 per cent.While the link between drugs and crime is established, the vast majority of drug users in the UK have never committed a criminal act to fund their purchase of drugs. Only 6 per cent of drug users have funded drug purchases through crime, with the figure rising to 42 per cent among those who believe that they have had a drug 'problem'. If perceptions are correct, this suggests that a small percentage of drug users (generally addicts) are responsible for a disproportionately large percentage of drug-related street crime. Do you believe that certain drugs that are currently illegal should either be legalised or decriminalised? (Asked of all respondents.)Yes 38% No 62%Which drugs in particular do you believe should either be legalised or decriminalised? (Asked of all respondents who believe that certain drugs should be legalised or decriminalised.)Cannabis 83%All of them 10%Ecstasy 8%Magic mushrooms 7%Cocaine 5%Amphetamines (speed 5%LSD 3%Heroin 2%Crack 1%Ketamine 1%The 83 per cent of adults who support a change to drug legislation and feel that cannabis should be legalised or decriminalised, equates to 31 per cent of the UK population. There is no comparable level of popular support to legalise or decriminalise any other drug.Do you believe that drug addicts who have been arrested for possession (as opposed to dealing) should be given custodial prison sentences? (Asked of all respondents.)Yes 58% No 42%In Portugal, it is no longer a crime to possess drugs (although it is still a criminal offence to supply them). Would you support the introduction of a similar scheme in this country? (Asked of all respondents.)Yes 34% No 66%Would you support or oppose a scheme whereby certain illegal drugs were available on prescription to registered drug addicts? (Asked of all respondents.)Support 46% Oppose 54%With the prison population of the UK expanding to bursting point, and little evidence that custodial prison sentences act as a significant deterrent to drug addicts, 42 per cent of UK adults believe that drug addicts arrested for possession of drugs (as opposed to dealing) should be spared prison. Despite minor fluctuations, there is a broadly consistent level of support for non-custodial sentences among all age groups, while among those who have had a problem with drugs, 65 per cent feel that custodial sentences should not be imposed. Furthermore, 46 per cent of UK adults believe that drug addicts who register themselves as such should have access to certain illegal drugs via prescription. Again, while there are fluctuations on the basis of age, there are solid levels of support for the proposal among all age groups. The levels of support for these liberal schemes suggest the growing popularity of a pragmatic approach towards the problem of drugs, an approach that prioritises rehabilitation over punishment and regulation over prohibition. There is also a suggestion that support for government regulation and distribution of hard drugs could be based on the potential to impact positively on drug related crime. What the results may illustrate are the changing public perceptions of addiction thanks to the ubiquity of celebrities admitting to addiction of one type or another. Drug addicts, once dismissed as morally degenerate by the majority, are increasingly likely to be seen as suffering from an illness. A further example of the increased pragmatism of the UK public is provided by the strength of support for decriminalising the possession of all drugs. 34 per cent of adults would support the introduction of a scheme based on the Portuguese model in which possession of all drugs is decriminalised. While it is unsurprising that 67 per cent of those who have taken drugs support the introduction of this scheme, it is significant that 21 per cent of adults who have never taken drugs support decriminalisation of drug possession. Which, if any, of the following do you believe should undergo routine drug testing? (Asked of all respondents.)Pilots 67%Drivers 66%Police 61%Doctors/nurses 61%Teachers 46%None of these 13%The health risksRank these drugs in order of perceived health risk. (Percentages refer to numbers judging that particular drug as the greatest risk. Asked of all respondents.Heroin 27%Crack 19%Tobacco 13%Ecstasy 11Cocaine 10%LSD 8%Alcohol 6%Amphetamines 4%Cannabis 2%All demographic groups, with the exception of the 55-64 age group, ranked cannabis as the least hazardous drug, below both tobacco and alcohol; even among those who have never taken an illegal drug, cannabis is perceived as the least harmful to health. Only 6 per cent believe that alcohol is the drug that poses the greatest health risk. However, those who have taken drugs believe that only heroin, crack and tobacco pose a greater health risk than alcohol. In Scotland, the part of the UK which has the highest monthly expenditure on alcohol, 13 per cent believe it poses the greatest health risk, almost twice the national average.In your opinion, do you think you have ever had a problem with drugs? (Asked of all respondents who have ever taken an illegal drug.)Yes 10% No 90% Do you currently know, or have ever known, someone who you think has a serious drug problem? (Asked of all respondents.)Yes 36% No 64%The 16-24 age group scores highest among those who feel they've had, or currently have, a 'problem' with drugs. Though youthful braggadocio might play a part in this score. 16 per cent of drug users who are not currently working believe they have had a 'problem' with drugs, compared to 7 per cent in work. While very few drug users think they have had a 'problem' themselves, 59 per cent believe they have known someone with a serious drug problem. The disparity suggests the individual may be the last person to identify a developing problem. Those most likely to know someone with a drug problem is the 16-24 age group (53 per cent).Number of regular usersCannabis 5.1mEcstasy 2.4mAmphetamines 2.1mCocaine 2mHeroin 426,000* Poll analysis by Jim Mann. Poll conducted by ICM Research in February/March 2002. A sample of 1075 UK adults aged 16+ were interviewed. Participants completed a confidential questionnaire. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.Drugs Uncovered: Observer Special: http://www.observer.co.uk/drugs/0,11908,686419,00.htmlSource: Observer, The (UK)Published: Sunday, April 21, 2002Copyright: 2002 The ObserverContact: letters observer.co.ukWebsite: http://www.observer.co.uk/Detailed Report: Drugs Uncovered: Observer Special Supplementhttp://www.freedomtoexhale.com/dc.htmRevealed: Britain's Drug Habit http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12594.shtmlTime To Be Adult About Drugs http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12593.shtmlBoom or Bust? -- Mark Kohn http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12592.shtml 

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Comment #12 posted by qqqq on April 22, 2002 at 06:24:40 PT
..."civil disobedience"??.................
.....Civil disobedience?......Not me!,,and not too many other people who have experienced a tear-gas,rubber-bullet,skull-cracking pepperspray suprize!!!!!!.. Once that happen to a person,,they will probably choose to stay home,,and conduct civil disobedience in different ways..,,,I mean,, everyone knows that protesters are terrorists...,,if you're not for our government,,then by gum you're against it!......?..that is why,, I am considering moving to Iceland,or Greenland..No one fucks with them,,,I dont think they even have SWAT teams there?.....yet.
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Comment #11 posted by Patrick on April 22, 2002 at 06:19:26 PT
Power of the real polls
The current political climate in France is quite interesting if you are paying attention. Seems the elected are in fear for their political careers and begging nay, telling the voters to use common sense and keep "ME" in power. Wow! We need a little of that type of voter energy here. As p4me is so fond of saying…Vote out the incumbents including the dogcatcher. France is proof the voters can sway an entire nation in case lazy americans have forgotten.Politicians have forgotten they were elected to manage affairs of the country, state, or city not my personal life.
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Comment #10 posted by Jose Melendez on April 22, 2002 at 06:08:11 PT:
meanwhile, back in DC...
from:http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGANE1XAC0D.html
WASHINGTON (AP) - Several hundred protesters marched along the National Mall during morning rush hour Monday, proclaiming their opposition to U.S. military aid to Colombia and their commitment to nonviolence. They even swore not to use swear words. 
A police contingent nearly half as large as the crowd tried to keep streets clear for commuters. 
The protesters did not have a permit for their march to Capitol Hill from the Washington Monument but defended their right to make their case even if doing so tied up people on their way to work. 
"Civil disobedience is part of this movement," said Glenn Fiscella, 47, of Newport News, Va. "It's like a democratic tool that you use like voting or writing a letter to the editor. You can be forceful, you can be militant, without being violent ... and that's where this movement's at." 
(snip)
Arrest Prohibition - Drug War is TREASON
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Comment #9 posted by Patrick on April 22, 2002 at 06:04:33 PT
Happy Earth Day All
I want to thank the earth for providing me/you with my/your favorite plant. It refreshing basking in the knowledge that cannabis comes from the earth and not some megalomaniac pharmaceutical factory.
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Comment #8 posted by Jose Melendez on April 22, 2002 at 05:42:57 PT:
hooray!
Onion-Eater is back! A couple of us wondered if you had thought up a "logical" way to point out what we are saying about the fact that the war on drugs is really a war on marijuana users, since the legislators most in favor of such a policy are also the recipients of the largest campaign contributions from industries whose poisonous products would necessesarily have to copmpete against safe, legal pot.The answers to your suggestion on http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/12/thread12556.shtml ...and again on http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/12/thread12557.shtmlhave been completely answered, and in my opinion refuted...still waiting...
Jose Melendez
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Comment #7 posted by onion-eater on April 22, 2002 at 03:27:18 PT
The Guardian: our nation on drugs
I bought a copy of the Guardian yesterday and they had a huge number of articles on drugs and legalisation, two editorials and a 60 page magazine that came with it. In the editorial they were saying a new approach was needed that cannabis should be legal and that drugs like coke and ecstasy should be decriminalised. Don't agree with all of it but it was interesting and surprising to see a major sunday newspaper focussing so much on drugs..
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Comment #6 posted by qqqq on April 21, 2002 at 22:25:53 PT
I love polls!
...I'm not saying that this particular poll is flawed,,,, but when you think about the item known as a "poll", ,,ya gotta admit that something stinks........for instance,,it dont matter how many people you "poll",as much as it matters Who you poll!.....There are never any real details given about polls,except percentages of error,, you know,,the +-6%..... The Sheeple reader knows nothing else about the poll.... Polls can be bought for cheap...
.
....here's my Poll;..."Should someone from Enron be in jail?"........there are 'Arthuer Andersen' type polling companies. ...If I start the 4Q pollsters Group,,,then 4Q gets to be the one who checks the results.... No one has ever like,"audited", a poll,,where they would have some independent organization call up all the people who were polled to verify that their answers were real!,,I mean,,,Gimme a Break!....Polls are little more than complete heresay! ,,,yet they are perceived as some sort of credible indicator of reality.....
..
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Comment #4 posted by Patrick on April 21, 2002 at 21:36:05 PT

overtoke
You cannot be fired for expressing your opinion. I need to disagree on that point. In today's politically correct climate, it seems to me that the squeaky wheel no longer gets greased. It gets replaced with a new non-squeaky wheel.

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Comment #3 posted by lookinside on April 21, 2002 at 18:28:30 PT:

Intelligence...
I always question polls involving illegal behavior. I believe that a certain percentage of the respondents will lie to downplay their actual usage levels.When I used to toke, I am certain I would have lied. Ain't nobody's business but my own....IMHO, the percentages are probably 5-10% below reality.
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Comment #2 posted by overtoke on April 21, 2002 at 17:56:29 PT:

Cannabis Numbers
I wonder why Cannabis is missing from the first set up percentages. (Have you ever used Cannabis?) While 77 pecent of respondents claimed it was their first 'illegal' drug.Out of the 1024 people they interviewed, 28 percent of them had ever done illegal drugs. 50 percent of those users still use illegal drugs.If we apply these numbers to the entire population of the United States (using 260M) it would appear that:72.8 Million People have ever tried 'any' illegal drug.
36.4 Million People are still using.101.5 Million People voted in the last presidential election.If 36.4 Million people are spending $100 a month on 'illegal drugs' this means that 3.64 Billion in tax free money is changing hands.The problem is that not enough of us are united. We are surrounded by friends and neighbors that are just like us.Want our Majority to start making a difference? Talk to every neighbor on your street. Talk to your fellow employees. Even your boss. Let them know about what is going on. You cannot be fired for expressing your opinion.
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Comment #1 posted by p4me on April 21, 2002 at 17:18:23 PT

Not quit right there my friend
Many of us believe that alcohol and tobacco pose a greater health risk than
   ecstasy or cocaine. This special Observer poll reveals a nation with complex,
   shifting views on drugs.Yes many do and Iam1. Yes Iam1. My major belief properly stated would say that the largest two scourges of drugs are alcohol and tobacco. If all substances were legal, T&A would be 10 times the problem of all other drugs. Yet in the warped world the reformers cannot help but believe the WOD minus T&A worst aspect is that it all but ignores the body of the beast and says look at those marijuana eyes. They are red and we must pluck them out. And someone should tell those crazy prohibitionist that people that pluck out beast eyes are evil doers.Execute Congress. VAAI
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