The Supposed Drug Information and Attitude Gap between Teachers and Students

Abstract

A survey of knowledge, attitudes towards drugs and towards other social issues was conducted among 362 elementary and high school teachers in an Ontario School Board District. Teachers scores on these scales were compared to those of high school students. Most elementary and high school teachers did not hold strong negative or positive attitudes towards legalization of marihuana. High school teachers did appear more in favour of legalization than elementary school teachers or students. High school students were more permissive towards drug use in general than both teacher groups. High school teachers knew the most about drugs. Scores on these scales were interrelated such that teachers favouring legalization of marihuana knew most about drugs and were more permissive towards other social issues such as abortion, homosexuality and the penal system. The authors conclude that in the past too much may have been made of a generation gap concerning drug use between high school teachers and students.