The problem of illegal drug use has receded somewhat from the national consciousness since the late 1980s and early 1990s, when there was massive media attention on the rise of crack cocaine and drug-related violence. That is in keeping with the trend of the past decade, when drugs have consistently been cited by between four and ten percent of Americans as the most important problem facing the nation. Still, the public continues to rank drugs among the major problems facing both the nation and local communities, and concern about drug abuse potentially affecting a family member remains high. Rural Residents Worried Drug abuse looms as a more serious problem on the local level. By comparison, the issue of drugs and alcohol doesn't make the top tier of problems cited by suburban respondents, who are more concerned with education, crime, and growth and traffic.
Younger people are more concerned about the drug problem at the local level than are their elders.
The drug problem at the community level is also most immediate for those with less education and lower incomes. Interestingly, this bleak progress report actually represents a modest improvement from the late 1980s. But there has been no increase since then in the relatively small percentage who cites progress on drugs. Compared to the drug problem, the public is somewhat more optimistic about avoiding racial conflict and addressing problems related to planning and managing growth around cities. Residents of large cities are also concerned with drugs in their communities, but are slightly more optimistic that they are making progress on the problem.