Amnesty's Impact Upon Drug Use: A Pre/Post Study
JOHN F. GREDEN M.D.1, and
DONALD W. MORGAN M.D., D.M.SC.2
1 Associate Director of Psychiatric Research, Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, Walter Reed General Hospital, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20012
2 Director of Computer Support in Military Psychiatry(COMPSY), Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, Walter Reed General Hospital, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20012
A survey to determine patterns of drug use and attitudes toward treatment was conducted shortly before the establishment of a drug abuse control program in the Army. Eight months after the program was begun, the survey was repeated, using a similar population at the same military installation. Comparison of the surveys revealed no immediate beneficial effects of the program. Reports of previous drug use had increased. The number of those who intended to use nonopiate drugs in the future had increased; willingness to seek treatment remained unchanged and a great deal of skepticism still prevailed.
