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The Nation : 4 of 10 in Poll Rate Drugs Worst Problem

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Public concern about illicit drugs has more than doubled in recent months, with four out of 10 Americans now viewing drugs as the nation’s most serious problem, according to a Washington Post-ABC News Poll. Even as some national studies report that drug use is in decline, the survey found that 44% of those interviewed ranked drugs as the country’s most serious problem, easily eclipsing all other domestic or foreign concerns. Among those most troubled were black Americans. Nearly seven out of 10 blacks interviewed said drugs are the country’s biggest problem. In January, just 19% of those interviewed rated drugs as the biggest problem facing the nation. The survey found also that three out of every four persons questioned said they want more dollars spent on federal anti-drug programs. On other issues, the poll found that nearly three out of four Americans would cut military spending or raise taxes before they would trim back federal social programs to reduce the budget deficit. A majority said they were willing to spend more on a variety of social programs, including Medicare.

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