Medical student attitudes toward drug addiction policy

This study explores the attitudes and perceptions of medical students conce rning patients with addictions and policy issues related to drugs. Over 1,2 50 students from 15 medical schools responded to an anonymous survey concer ning their experience and training regarding addictions, and their level of support or opposition for various drug policy approaches. Medical students expressed general support for treatment funding and relate d demand reduction strategics, but the strength of their support was influe nced more by their political orientation than their perception of the effec tiveness of the strategy. Students who identified themselves as liberals mo re strongly favored demand reduction and alternatives strategies such as ne edle exchange programs and drug courts. Conservatives more strongly favored supply reduction strategies including harsher sanctions for users. Need fo r additional training in medical school was indicated by the fact that 20% reported no training in addictions.