cannabisnews.com: Fighting Child Drug Abuse Should Be a Top Priority Fighting Child Drug Abuse Should Be a Top Priority Posted by FoM on November 21, 1999 at 12:26:02 PT White House Poll Source: CNN Most Americans say drug abuse among children is one of three top issues their tax dollars should be used to fight, according to a new Gallup poll commissioned by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. According to the poll, 81 percent of adults surveyed said their tax dollars should be spent on reducing illegal drug use among children. Eighty-three percent said tax money should be devoted to educating children, and 80 percent said it should be used to reduce violent crime. Bob Weiner, a spokesman for White House Drug Control Policy Chief Barry McCaffrey, said more than 2,000 people took part in the phone survey between December 1998 and January 30, 1999. The poll has a margin of error of two to three percentage points, Weiner said. Weiner said his office had to "sort through" the poll data, which delayed its release. A complete text of the poll was unavailable. Selective results were released Saturday. Health Care, Economy, Unemployment Rank Lower: Respondents ranked issues such as improving health care, the economy and unemployment as lower priorities as far as their tax dollars are concerned, according to the poll. The poll also said that 82 percent of those surveyed supported increased drug treatment programs as a way to reduce drug abuse. Spending On Rehabilitation Endorsed: Seventy percent of respondents said crime would decrease if money spent on imprisoned drug users would focus on prevention and rehabilitation. "This is a powerful message that Americans support a proactive prevention strategy rather than simply a reactive or punitive one in reducing drug-related crime," McCaffrey said in a statement. The poll also found that 80 percent of 18- to 25-year-olds, and 69 percent of everyone surveyed, said they had seen or heard advertisements meant to discourage young people from taking drugs. Wiener told CNN the survey shows that the "comprehensive national strategy is right on track." That strategy, according to the National Drug Control Policy Office, includes education and drug prevention, drug treatment to reduce crime and improve public health, and law enforcement. November 21, 1999White House Correspondent Kelly Wallace contributed to this report.Link to the complete CNN article:http://cnn.com/US/9911/20/drug.survey/index.htmlRelated Articles:Americans Concerned About Drug Use Among Teens - 11/20/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3739.shtmlWhat Should You Tell Your Kids About Your Drug Use-11/17/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3704.shtmlSo, What Did You Smoke, Mom? - 11/11/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3637.shtml END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #9 posted by FoM on November 22, 1999 at 16:25:55 PT Great Stuff! Fantastic information! Thanks Sledhead and everyone! [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Sledhead on November 22, 1999 at 05:39:29 PT Gallup Polls-2nd try Has drug abuse ever been a cause of trouble in your family? 1999 Sep 23-26 Yes 17% No 83% No Opinion * For or against making marijuana legallyavailable for doctors to prescribe in order toreduce pain and suffering.1999 Mar 19-21 For 73% Against 25% No Opinion 2% Slight Majority of Americans Say That PresidentialCandidate's Past Drug Use Is Relevant If the person had used drugs in the past1999 Feb 4-8Yes, public would need to know 53% No, not necessary 46% No Opinion 1% What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today? Drugs 1997 Dec 18-21 12% 1998 Apr 17-19 12% 1998 Sep 14-15 9% 1999 Jan 15-17 6% 1999 May 23-24 5% http://www.gallup.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Sledhead on November 22, 1999 at 05:28:01 PT Gallup Polls The formatting is kinda screwed on the polls. They didn't post too well. http://www.gallup.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Sledhead on November 22, 1999 at 05:25:48 PT Gallup Polls The Gallup Polls are a bureaucrats' dream. There are so many polls, that one can easily draw their own conclusions by selectively reporting the results. It's insane to try to make public policy based on this mish-mash of data, but here are a few that I came across, that once again, proves that ex-Pvt. McLaffrey is full of shit. All that his numbers prove is that it's budget time in DC.Has drug abuse ever been a cause of trouble in your family? Yes No No Opinion1999 Sep 23-26 17% 83% *For or against making marijuana legallyavailable for doctors to prescribe in order toreduce pain and suffering. For Against No Opinion 1999 Mar 19-21 73% 25% 2%Slight Majority of Americans Say That PresidentialCandidate's Past Drug Use Is Relevant If the person had used drugs in the past Yes, public would No, not No Opinion need to know necessary 1999 Feb 4-8 53% 46% 1%What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today? 97 98 98 99 99 Dec Apr Sep Jan May 18-21 17-19 14-15 15-17 23-24Drugs 12% 12% 9% 6% 5% http://www.gallup.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by BigAb on November 22, 1999 at 02:52:35 PT: 81% 81% surveyed ! They damn sure did'nt ask me ! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by G. Man on November 21, 1999 at 18:53:22 PT: manipulating data A Gallup Poll from earlier this year found 73% support medicinal marijuana. Why does the czar ignore this poll? Why does one poll count and the other is ignored? The hypocrisy goes on and on! Drug Policy Forum of WI [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by rainbow on November 21, 1999 at 16:33:36 PT Is barry being hypocritical again? "This is a powerful message that Americans support a proactive prevention strategy rather than simply a reactive or punitive one in reducing drug-related crime," McCaffrey said in a statement. If so barry, why are you so hell-bent on putting people in jail. why not spend your 17bln on the proactive plans and do some good. Why not use some of your 17bln and get the laws changed so people won't go to jail for a lifetime.heck senator Grams feels the same way. treatment is the answer, but prisons are not capable of treatment.rainbow [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Dave in Florida on November 21, 1999 at 14:44:08 PT Part of the truth What CNN did not report:"The poll by the Gallup Organization found that illegal drug use rates high among the concern ofAmericans. More than half of those surveyed, 53 percent, said their concern about drug use has increased over the past fiveyears. Crack cocaine was listed as the biggest concern for 56 percent of those surveyed. Marijuana, heroin, and other drugs was considered problems by less than 10 percent."Less than 10 % think pot is a problem. I would like to see the whole un-McGaffery'ed report http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3739.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Jeaneous on November 21, 1999 at 14:35:58 PT: More lost data It does not surprise me that they cannot find the data on who was included in this poll. Bet they were either religious based group or else know prohibitionist. I agree kids need to be aware of the drug issue... but to continue spending the amounts of money we are and then asking to send money to other countries to fight drugs when we haven't found solutions on our own does not make sense.Wonderful if they want to change to more treatment programs, but I doubt if they will take any funds away from the prison programs to fund it. They will still jail non-violent offenders whenever they can.More and more bull from them. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: