RESIDENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARD THOSE WHO MISUSE DRUGS ON THREE ATTITUDINAL SCALES

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to examine patterns in attitudes toward drug users among residents in a community of Kingston, Jamaica. Method: cross-sectional study; sample size was 121 residents. Results: alcohol and marijuana showed a strong positive relationship on the personal contact attitudinal scale with r (119)=.53, p<.01. Respondents’ attitudes on the judgement scale for crack and cocaine were the strongest among all the drugs with r (119)=.84, p<.01, reflective of a very strong positive relationship. Equally important too, respondents’ attitudes on the social support scale toward those who misuse crack and cocaine were very strongly correlated with r (119)=.88, p<.01. Residents displayed positive attitudes toward those who misuse alcohol and marijuana. Conclusion: the majority of respondents were ambivalent toward those who misuse cocaine and crack. Negative attitudes were highest among residents toward those who misuse cocaine. This study found that the differences in mean between males and females attitudes on the personal contact scale for alcohol and marijuana were statistically significant at 0.05 level. Our findings may be used to inform further research and ultimately lead to policy interventions.