DEALING WITH DRUGS AND WEAPONS IN SCHOOL

The 29th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll Of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools Illustration by Fred Bell

The public continues to believe that drugs and weapons in school are major problems for the public schools. Although school personnel in most situations do not believe these problems are as severe as the public does, schoolpeople must nonetheless deal with the public's concern. The first of three drug-related questions in this poll sought to find out how satisfied people are with steps being taken to deal with the drug problem in their local schools. Perhaps surprisingly, 53% indicate they are either very or somewhat satisfied. The level of satisfaction rises to 65% for public school parents and to 60% for rural residents. However, it falls to 45% for urban residents.

The second question dealt with ''zero tolerance'' policies calling for automatic suspension of students carrying drugs or alcohol into school. Support for such policies is strong. Eighty-six percent say they support such policies, and this level of support is consistent among all groups.

Respondents were also asked whether they feel an educational approach or severe penalties offer the best means of dealing with the drug problem. A small majority (52%) prefers an educational approach, while 42% favor severe penalties. These percentages vary little across groups.

Many schools also have ''zero tolerance'' policies that call for automatic suspension of students who bring weapons to school. Such policies garnered media attention when authorities suspended a student for bring a nail file to school. Regardless of difficulties in application, support for such policies is very strong. Ninety-three percent of poll respondents express support, and that support is consistent among all groups.

The first question:

How satisfied are you yourself with the steps being taken to deal with the use of drugs in the public schools in your community -- very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, not very satisfied, or not at all satisfied?

	National Totals %	No Children in School %	Public School Parents %	Nonpublic School Parents %
Very satisfied	17	13	25	11
Somewhat satisfied	36	35	40	35
Not very satisfied	22	24	17	32
Not at all satisfied	20	21	17	17
Don't know	5	7	1	5
*Less than one-half of 1%.

The second question:

Some public schools have a so-called zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy, which means that possession of any illegal drugs or alcohol by students will result in automatic suspension. Would you favor or oppose such a policy in the public schools in your community?

	National Totals %	No Children in School %	Public School Parents %	Nonpublic School Parents %
Favor	86	84	89	93
Oppose	13	15	10	7
Don't know	1	1	1	*
*Less than one-half of 1%.

The third question:

In your opinion, which is more effective for dealing with a drug problem in the public schools in your community -- an educational approach, pointing out the consequences of drug use, or severe penalties for those violating the school drug policy?

	National Totals %	No Children in School %	Public School Parents %	Nonpublic School Parents %
Educational approach	52	52	53	44
Severe penalties	42	41	43	49
Don't know	6	7	4	7

The fourth question:

Some public schools have a so-called zero tolerance weapons policy, which means that students found carrying weapons of any kind in school will be automatically suspended. Would you favor or oppose such a policy in the public schools in your community?

	National Totals %	No Children in School %	Public School Parents %	Nonpublic School Parents %
Favor	93	92	95	91
Oppose	5	6	4	9
Don't know	2	2	1	*
*Less than one-half of 1%.

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Last updated: 25 August 1997
URL: http://www.pdkintl.org/kpoll97h.htm
Contact: bucheri@pdkintl.org

Copyright 1997 Phi Delta Kappan