Exploring General and Specific Attitudes Toward Drug Policies Among College Students

• NCJ Number: 239084
• Journal: Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 23 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2012 Pages: 3-17
• Author(s): Tammy S. Garland; Vic W. Bumphus; Sara A. Knox
• Date Published: March 2012
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined criminal justice/legal studies majors' and nonmajors' perceptions regarding current drug policy and demographic factors influence these perceptions.

Abstract

Numerous studies have focused on issues dealing with students' attitudes toward drug use. Although these studies have examined attitudes toward drug use, there has been little research focusing on drug policy attitudes. Although some research has been conducted on attitudes of students and professionals regarding criminal justice policies, the literature has not directly addressed the perceptions of students regarding specific drug policies in the United States. Using data collected from 294 students enrolled at a southern university, this study examined criminal justice/legal studies majors' and nonmajors' perceptions regarding current drug policy and demographic factors influence these perceptions. Findings revealed little variation in overall attitudes among the two study cohorts; however, college major emerged as a significant predictor of more tolerant marijuana attitudes. (Published Abstract)