National Campaign Against Drug Abuse Social Issues Survey, 1993

This study is the fourth 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 1985-1993. The three earlier studies were Social Issues in Australia, 1985; the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse Social Issues Survey, 1988; and the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse Social Issues Survey, 1991. The questionnaire asked respondents about their degree of concern about various social issues and drugs. Opinions were sought on suggested ways of preventing excessive use of alcohol, the banning of smoking in public places, the availability of drug information and services, the impact of the Drug Offensive campaign, the distribution of the expenditure for reducing drug abuse, and penalties for the sale and supply of 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: alcohol, amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine/crack, ecstasy/designer drugs, hallucinogens, heroin, inhalants (eg. glue, petrol), marijuana/hash, pain killers/analgesics, steroids, tobacco/cigarettes and tranquillisers. Respondents were also asked if they had been victims of physical and/or verbal abuse and property damage and/or theft by someone affected by alcohol or had themselves committed these offences when under the influence. 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.