Poll: Drug Treatment Favored Over Jail

June 6 -- Americans by nearly a 3-1 margin prefer treatment programs instead of incarceration for first- and second-time drug offenders, a view that could signal support for efforts to revamp the nation's drug laws.

Sixty-nine percent of adults in an ABCNEWS.com poll say they'd support a state law requiring drug treatment over jail time for first and second offenses. Twenty-five percent oppose it.

A group led by financier George Soros has been backing this change, starting with Proposition 36, approved by California voters in November. It places first- or second-conviction nonviolent drug users in treatment programs instead of in jail. The Soros group plans similar campaigns in Ohio, Florida and Michigan next year.

Men and Republicans are marginally less apt to favor treatment programs — they're preferred by 66 percent of men and 62 percent of Republicans, compared to 72 percent of women and 73 percent of Democrats and independents. Better-educated people also are slightly more apt to favor treatment instead of jail time.

Methodology

This ABCNEWS.com survey was conducted by telephone May 16-20 among a random national sample of 1,024 adults. The results have a three-point error margin. Sampling, data collection and tabulation was conducted by TNS Intersearch of Horsham, Pa.

Previous ABCNEWS polls can be found in our Poll Vault.