NCJ Number
86471
Journal
Journal of Offender Counseling Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: (October 1982) Pages: 8-14
Date Published
1982
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study compared the attitudes of illicit drug users on a semantic differential with the attitudes of persons who had been cited for driving while intoxicated and who were ordered by a judge to attend classes on alcohol abuse.
Abstract
It examined the types of attitudes both groups had about themselves, drugs and other illicit drug users, and rehabilitation programs. The two groups were similar in many respects, but the inmates' drug-related problems were assumed to be greater than those of the alcohol abusers. Participants numbered 22 in each group; they were matched on certain variables (race) and were between 18 and 30 years old. The concepts used on the semantic differential related to drug usage and to perceptions of self, counselors, and counseling. Findings showed perceptions by drug users of rehabilitation programs and personnel to be higher than those held by alcohol abusers. The drug users also had more positive perceptions of themselves. Moreover, the drug users rated the potency of the drugs they use significantly higher than did the alcoholic group. These results contradict contentions that illicit drug users have negative, antagonistic attitudes toward traditional rehabilitation programs and are unconcerned with rehabilitating themselves. Tabular data and 13 references are given.