. Drugs: French harden their opinion

n the space of 10 years, the French have hardened their opinion about drugs and their consumers, according to the results of a survey (EROPP 2008), presented the day of the music festival on the occasion of a press conference in Paris.

The survey was conducted from October to December 2008 among a representative sample of 2,300 people aged 15 to 75 years.

Products are perceived as more dangerous in 2008 than in 2002 and 1999. French respondents are more attached to measures of prohibition, less open to risk reduction and less tolerance for drug users, summarized Jean-Michel Costes, Director of the Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (OFDT) at this event. The latter was also a highlighting of the individual responsibility of addictive behaviors.

Participants show "greater apprehension about psychoactive substances" in 2008 than in 2002: 62% believe that cannabis is dangerous to health when the experiment (10 points compared to 2002) 43% think the same for tobacco (18 points) and 10% alcohol (5 points). The responses also increase, but to a lesser extent, heroin (92%, +3 points) and cocaine (89%, +6 points). The change is even more noticeable that opinion remained stable between 1999 and 2002 surveys.

The perception of drug users is affected, with the emphasis on their danger to those around them: 84% of French people think for heroin (against 74% in 1999).

The survey also shows that our people are extremely attached to measures of prohibition of cannabis: 85% are against the implementation of this substance prescription (+10 percentage points compared to 2002), 70% against its authorization under certain conditions .

In addition, the consensus on the obligation to care for drug users arrested is very strong (89% support, against 91% in 1999). But the result can cover two different opinions, points OFDT "one appreciate its coercive aspect, the other is that it avoids lawsuits focusing therapeutic alternative."

Adherence to treatment of opiate substitution, known by 7 out of 10 French, is also wide, even if it breaks down somewhat (-9 percentage points compared to 2002): 73% will remain favorable. In contrast, only 27% would be consistent with the idea of "making available heroin local and special equipment so they can inject their own drugs (...) to prevent risks to health. "

Advantaged social backgrounds, people with a higher education school, working adults and those with a close (consuming or having already consumed) with cannabis are more likely than others in the process of risk reduction, but mostly less attached to the prohibition regime.

Adherence to the measures to a greater control of the supply of tobacco and alcohol is massive, including those limiting access to minors (92% for tobacco, 90% alcohol). Paradoxically, higher taxes on these products is disapproved by a majority (52%).