Public Favors Drug Testing, New Laws, Gallup Poll Finds

The American people favor tougher laws and periodic drug testing for people from all walks of life, according to a Gallup Poll released Monday at the White House.

At a news conference attended by drug policy director William J. Bennett, Gallup Organization co-chairman George H. Gallup said that people are so disturbed that three-fourths of all teen-agers and nearly half of adults are ready to volunteer to help in drug prevention programs.

“A record number of Americans cite the drug crisis as the nation’s top problem, replacing the ‘guns and butter’ issues of international tensions and economic worries,” he said.

Bennett, who will in a few weeks release the Administration’s strategy to combat the drug crisis, said the poll shows that “the American people have given a very clear sense of direction to us.”

In the poll, taken in June and July, 27% of the adults questioned selected drugs and drug abuse as the most important problem facing the country. Eight percent put poverty, homelessness and hunger at the top; 7%, the economy in general, and 6% each, the federal budget deficit and the environment. “Fear of war,” the category listed as the most worrisome by 27% of adults in 1985 and 23% in 1987, was listed first by only 4% in the new survey.

Drug abuse was listed by 32% of teen-agers as the most important problem in the country, ahead of fear of war, 14%; economic issues, 13%, and environment and pollution, 7%. The remainder in each group was divided among other issues and “don’t know” responses.

“Young people in America are telling us they are frightened on this issue, they are bothered by it and they want us to do something,” Bennett said.