National Campaign Against Drug Abuse Social Issues Survey, 1991

This study is the third in a series of national household surveys to examine current attitudes towards drugs and drug problems, usage of drugs, and to assess changes in these attitudes and usage over the period 1985-1991. The two earlier studies were Social Issues in Australia, 1985 and the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse social issues survey, 1988. The questionnaire asked respondents about their degree of concern about various social issues and drugs. A sealed section of the questionnaire allowed respondents to indicate their usage of each drug without the interviewer being aware of their answers. The drugs covered were: amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine/crack, hallucinogens, heroin, inhalants, marijuana/hash, tobacco/cigarettes, tranquillisers, painkillers/analgesics, and ecstasy/designer drugs. Respondents were also asked for opinions about the availability of drug information and services, the adequacy of government efforts to deal with drug problems, the impact of the Drug Offensive campaign, and the distribution of expenditure for reducing drug abuse. Questions about family and personal involvement in drug issues were also included. Background variables included geographical location, sex, age-group, birthplace, employment status and occupation of self and spouse, education status, and the number and ages of other people in the household.