83% of Russians support the idea to launch school drug testing.
MOSCOW. May 10, 2011. Russian Public Opinion Research center (VCIOM presents the data describing whether Russians support school drug testing or not.
The overwhelming majority of Russians support school drug testing (83%): 57% - definitely support, 26% - rather support. Only 7% of respondents are against the idea. Every tenth respondent were hard to answer the question.
The biggest number of respondents in favor of the initiative are among respondents aged 35 - 59 (86%). They are supported by those respondents who have school-age children (87% versus 79% of those who do not have minor children). Among those who oppose the initiative are Russians with high level of education (9%), and metropolitan residents (10%).
The main reasons for supporting the idea is common positive assessment (31%), as well as a possibility to detect and prevent drug abuse at an early stage (23%). Respondents also mention control over children (10%) and their opinion that school is one of the places of drug distribution (7%). Every twentieth respondent believe that this measure will help parents to keep their children from drugs.
Those opposing school drug testing report violation of human rights (31%) and assess this measure as being ineffective (23%). Nine percent of Russians think it would traumatize children. Six percent of respondents point out that the number of drug addicts in school is not so big to conduct general testing. Other 6% are worried about possible abuse.
The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on 26-27 February, 2011. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
Do you personally support or oppose school drug testing? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and above |
Definitely support | 57 | 51 | 55 | 62 | 59 | 56 |
Rather support | 26 | 29 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 23 |
Rather not support | 5 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
Definitely oppose | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Hard to tell | 10 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 14 |
Do you personally support or oppose school drug testing? (close-ended question, one answer) | |||
| Total respondents | Those who have minor children | Those who do not have minor children |
Definitely support | 57 | 62 | 53 |
Rather support | 26 | 25 | 26 |
Rather not support | 5 | 4 | 7 |
Definitely oppose | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Hard to tell | 10 | 8 | 12 |
Why do you support school drug testing? | |
General positive assessment | 31 |
Detecting and preventing drug addiction at early stages | 23 |
Control over children; children will be afraid that someone will know that they tried drugs | 10 |
School is one of the places of drug distribution; drug abuse has got "younger" | 7 |
It will help parents keep their children from drugs | 5 |
Caring for the future of the country/nation/generation | 5 |
I am worried about my children, grandchildren | 2 |
Detect those who disseminate drugs | 2 |
Detect and record drug addicts | 1 |
Other | 1 |
Hard to tell | 17 |
Why do you oppose school drug testing? | |
Violation of human rights | 31 |
Ineffective | 23 |
Traumatize children | 9 |
Possible abuse; use of data by corrupted officials | 6 |
The number of drug addict is not so big to conduct general testing | 6 |
Other | 4 |
Hard to tell | 27 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!