Background and Research Objectives *

Methodology *

Results *

A. Awareness of Drug-Related Programs and Media Coverage *

B. Level of Public Support for Goals and Actions Identified in Framework for Action Draft Discussion Paper *

C. Level of Public Support for the Downtown Eastside Health and Safety Initiative *

D. Interest in Participation in Community Consultation *

E. Attitudes Toward Drug Related-Issues *

The research summarized here was conducted via a telephone survey with a cross-section of 300 City of Vancouver adult residents in December 2000. It reveals overwhelming support for many of the goals and actions contained in the recently introduced Draft Discussion Paper, A Framework for Action, A Four-Pillar Approach to Drug Problems in Vancouver.

City residents throughout this survey give the City of Vancouver and other levels of government a mandate to take action through various steps to deal with the drug problems, applying the integrated four-pillar approach. This includes clear support for starting immediately with the Downtown Eastside Health and Safety Initiative.

There is widespread awareness of the City's efforts to deal with Vancouver's drug problems. About three-quarters (76%) of residents are aware that the Mayor of Vancouver and Vancouver's Coalition for Crime Prevention and Drug Treatment have been working on developing programs to fight crime and improve drug treatment over the past few years.

Over 40% claim awareness of the City's recently introduced Framework for Action Draft Discussion Paper on Vancouver's drug problems.

Additionally, just under 60% of City residents indicate awareness of the Vancouver Sun newspaper's recent 12-part series on the Downtown Eastside and its drug problems. About one-in -four claim to have read some or all of the articles in the series, with over 40% saying they at least glanced at or read a few of the articles.

There is broad public support for the four major goals identified in the Framework for Action Draft Discussion Paper, especially for the first three goals where a solid majority of City residents show 'strong ' support.

Over 90% support the overarching Goal #1 (to create a drug strategy and persuade the provincial and federal governments to take action and responsibility for elements of the framework within their jurisdictions). The level of 'strong' support is at 65%.

Over 85% of the citizenry support the public order Goal #2 (to work towards the restoration of public order across Vancouver etc.), with just over 60% 'strongly' supporting this objective.

Similarly, over 90% support the public health Goal #3 (to work towards addressing the drug–related health crisis in Vancouver etc.). Note in this case over 70% 'strongly' support this goal.

Goal #4 (to advocate for a single agent to coordinate implementation of actions and then monitor and evaluate implementation) is also popular, with a level of just under 80% in support – 45% 'strongly'.

A substantial majority of Vancouver residents, ranging from about 66% to 90%, indicate overall support for each of the eleven actions measured in the survey that were selected to represent those presented in the discussion paper. It is clear from these results that City residents widely favour taking these actions to deal with the City's drug problems.

The actions that are the most popular (85%-90% support overall, and over 50% 'strong' support) are as follows:

Even for two of the perhaps more controversial actions measured, expanding and de-centralizing needle exchange services and establishing a task force to consider developing safe consumption facilities, the levels of 'strong' support (47% and 38%, respectively) outweigh the total proportions in opposition. Only 26% and 24%, respectively, are opposed.

The same pattern applies for the action of improving access to methadone where just over half (51%) 'strongly' support this treatment action and only 15% oppose it.

About three-quarters (77%) of Vancouver residents rate the integrated four-pillar approach of prevention, treatment, enforcement and harm reduction for Vancouver's drug problem favourably. Over 40% rate it as 'excellent' or 'very good' and 35% consider it to be 'good'. In contrast, just over 20% rate this approach for drug misuse as 'fair' or 'poor'.

About one-in-four (25%) Vancouverites volunteer that this approach represents "a good start" or "a step in the right direction", and additionally some understand and appreciate a number of the benefits associated with this multi-faceted concept.

An overwhelming almost 90% favour going ahead with the proposed Downtown Eastside Health and Safety Initiative. Over 60% of the populace 'strongly' support proceeding, while less than 10% of total show any opposition based on what they heard.

This point seems to underscore both the importance of the issue and the public's evident desire to tackle the problems sooner rather than later.

An increasingly high proportion of residents believes that Vancouver's crime rate is 'very much' related to the illegal drug trade. Currently, 65% - up over 20 percentage points from the fall of 1997- consider these issues to be strongly linked.

The survey also reveals growing support for legalization of marijuana, but not for heroin.

Currently, a majority (57%) of Vancouverites support legalizing the use of marijuana – up from 48% evidenced three years ago. A three-quarters (74%) majority, most of it adamant, however, remain opposed to legalizing the use of heroin.

Interestingly, opposition to the use of this illegal drug drops dramatically when asked about the use of heroin for drug treatment purposes. About 60% of City residents currently support medical use of heroin for this specific purpose – over 30% indicating 'strong' support.

The City of Vancouver has recently introduced a Draft Discussion Paper, entitled, A Framework for Action, A Four-Pillar Approach to Drug Problems in Vancouver. This paper establishes four major goals and 31 actions using the four-pillar approach of prevention, treatment, enforcement and harm reduction to deal with Vancouver's drug problems. Each pillar requires the support of the other three to achieve the overall objectives of balancing and improving public order and public health in the city.

While the public consultation process and media coverage continues over the next few months, the City expressed interest in determining public opinion on the related issues as one of the inputs in the dialogue with the community.

To obtain this form of feedback the City of Vancouver commissioned a quantitative telephone survey with a cross-section of Vancouver adult residents. It is designed to fulfill these primary research objectives:

To best meet the objectives of providing valid data, projectable to the market at large, a telephone survey of a cross-section of 300 City residents aged 18 years and over was conducted. To ensure that respondents have some familiarity with the City of Vancouver and its issues, all respondents had been resident for at least the past year. Males and females were interviewed in approximately equal numbers.

Industry standard selection techniques were employed to ensure that both the household, and the individual within the selected household, was systematically selected at random. The sample frame consisted of the complete TELUS database of published residential telephone numbers. This database is updated daily to include new listings and exchanges. The 'last birthday' method determines who in the household will be interviewed and a rigorous callback appointment procedure for households and selected individuals within the household was used to minimize non-response bias.

At the tabulation stage, minor weighting adjustments were made to the data to ensure that the sample matches the known characteristics of the City of Vancouver population, by age within gender, according to the latest (1996) Statistics Canada census. Quotas and regional weighting was also applied to ensure good representation of citizens living in the downtown / West End area, and West and East of Main St., outside of the downtown.

The table following details the characteristics of the actual and weighted samples by key demographics and region of the City.

All interviewing was conducted from Dec. 18-21, 2000 from the central location telephone facility of McIntyre & Mustel Research in Vancouver, using a CATI (computer-assisted) system where the questionnaire is pre-programmed and data entry occurs at the time of interviewing. All interviewers are continuously supervised and monitored to ensure quality control. Chinese language assistance is provided where required.

The questionnaire used is appended for reference.

The survey data are presented here in the form of an Overview, highlighting the key findings, followed by the Summary of Results section that discusses the findings in more detail.

The computer tables, detailing the results to each question in total and by sub-groups of interest have been provided under separate cover.

The tolerance limits on a sample of 300 are approximately +/- 5.7 percentage points at the 95% confidence level, or 19 times out of 20. Note the tolerance limits increase on the smaller size sub-samples.

Results based on samples of less than 50 respondents should be interpreted with extreme caution.

Joan McIntyre Market and Opinion Research January, 2001

There is widespread awareness that over the past few years the Mayor of Vancouver and Vancouver's Coalition for Crime Prevention and Drug Treatment have been working on developing programs to fight crime and improve drug treatment in Vancouver. About three-quarters (76%) of total city residents respond that they are aware of these efforts, with this awareness growing directly with age to a peak of 92% among those 55 years plus.

Awareness also tends to be higher among these sub-segments of the populace: those who are aware of the Vancouver Sun's recent 12-part series on the Downtown Eastside and its drug problems (81%), those who believe that Vancouver's crime rate is 'very much' related to the illegal drug trade (82%) and those who are aware of the Framework for Action, Draft Discussion Paper (93%). Demographics such as gender, education, household size and area of residence do not appear to be much of a factor.

Further, over 40% claim to be aware that the City of Vancouver has recently introduced a Draft Discussion Paper entitled A Framework for Action, A Four-Pillar Approach to Drug Problems in Vancouver. Again, awareness rises with age, ranging from a level of 30% among those under 35 years to 57% among those 55 years of age and over.

The awareness level of this specific City initiative increases somewhat above the overall level of 44% among these sub-segments of the populace as well:

Link to pie chart (Awareness of Vancouver's Coalition for Crime Prevention
and Drug Treatment Work on Programs)

Link to pie chart (Awareness of Draft Discussion Paper)

While about two-thirds of City residents are unaware of the Draft Discussion Paper or its contents, there are groups who are able to volunteer some aspects or themes they have seen or heard about recently relating to this discussion paper.

The most common mentions - in the 8% to 10% range - are references to safe injection sites and various treatment facilities for rehab and detox. Other mentions offered by about 5% of the populace each are as follows:

Slightly smaller groups of 2-3% each mention the needle exchange program, the drug courts and the methadone program.

Link to graph (What Seen/Heard About Draft Discussion Paper)

Over half (56%) of City of Vancouver residents say they have read or heard about the Vancouver Sun's recent 12-part series on the Downtown Eastside and its drug problems. Awareness consistently rises with age to 65% among the oldest segment, and is considerably higher among those with some post secondary education (60% compared to 40% among the (smaller) segment without any higher education).

About one-quarter (24%) of City residents claim to have read some or all of the articles in the Sun series, with over 40% at least glancing at or reading a few of the articles.

The demographic characteristics of those who claim to have read 'all or most' of the series tend to be skewed towards: females, the oldest age segment (55 years plus), those with some form of post secondary education, those living in the downtown area and part-time workers.

Link to pie chart and graph (Awareness and Readership of Vancouver Sun's 12-Part Series on the
Downtown Eastside and its Drug Problems)

There is widespread public support for the four major goals identified in the Framework for Action Draft Discussion Paper, especially for the first three goals where a solid majority of City residents indicate 'strong' support. These results reveal a clear mandate from residents to deal with Vancouver's drug problems, improve public health and restore public order.

Goal #1 of creating a regional and national drug strategy and persuading federal and provincial governments to take action and responsibility for elements of the framework within their jurisdictions, garners widespread appeal. Over 90% support it, placing it in the same league as the public health goal. In this case, 65% indicate 'strong' support, led primarily by those 55 years plus, homeowners, those not working currently and those who believe that Vancouver's crime rate is 'very much' related to the illegal drug trade.

Goal #2 of working toward the restoration of public order by reducing the open drug scene and taking steps to reduce the negative impacts of illicit drugs on our neighbourhoods also has broad appeal with a support level over 85%. A 60% majority indicates they 'strongly' support restoration of public order. Those who exhibit somewhat more support than average for this specific goal are from these sub-groups: females, those in bigger size households (3+), those not working currently and those living in single family homes. These groups - likely overlapping - show the most concern for the impact of illicit drugs in City neighbourhoods. Note support for public order is consistent east and west of Main St.

Goal #3 of working towards addressing the drug-related health crisis in Vancouver by reducing harm to communities and individuals by increasing awareness of addiction as a health issue, and by taking steps to reduce the numbers of those misusing drugs, to reduce the number of overdose deaths and to offer services to groups at risk, leads slightly in popularity. Over 90% favour it overall, with 73% indicating that they 'strongly' support this goal. This support is consistent right across the different demographic groups, indicating broad appeal and public solidarity behind the concept of improving public health.

Although not as popular as the other major goals, Goal #4, advocating for the establishment of a single, accountable agent to coordinate implementation of the actions in the framework, and then to monitor and evaluate implementation, is favoured by over three-quarters (78%) of Vancouver residents. Just under half the City residents (45%), led by the oldest age segment (55 years +) and those not working, 'strongly' supports this goal.

Link to graph (Extent of Public Support for the Four Major Goals - Goal 1)

Link to graph (Extent of Public Support for the Four Major Goals - Goal 2)

Several of the actions contained in the Framework for Action Draft Discussion Paper were selected from each of the four pillars of prevention, treatment, enforcement and harm reduction for citizens to consider and indicate the extent of their support or opposition.

Given the widespread support for the major goals, it is not too surprising to learn that there is strong support for many of the actions in the four-pillar approach evaluated here as well.

What is perhaps surprising is the extent of the support for even what may be considered the more controversial actions contained in the discussion paper such as the needle exchange program and safe drug consumption facilities. Over two-thirds of Vancouverites at least 'somewhat' support these two actions (68% and 71%, respectively).

The actions that are the most popular (85%-90% support overall, and over 50% 'strong' support) are as follows:

Even for two of the perhaps more controversial actions measured in the survey, the levels of 'strong' support (47% and 38%, respectively) outweigh the total proportions in opposition. Only 26% and 24%, respectively, are opposed to expanding and de-centralizing needle exchange services and establishing a task force to consider developing safe consumption facilities.

The following section of the report deals with public reactions to each of the actions measured within the four pillars. Note that those who rate the four-pillar approach highly later in the interview are consistently more supportive of each of the various actions.

Vancouver residents wholeheartedly support these two prevention actions selected from the four contained in the discussion paper. In fact, they are each rated similarly with about 9-in-10 favouring each of these potential actions overall, and about 60% 'strongly' supporting them. The overall level of opposition ('somewhat' combined with 'strongly' oppose) is only 7% in each case.

More of those under 35 years, those living east of Main St. and those living in residences other than single family homes tend to be the most enthusiastic about the public education action. While the creation of a Healthy City office tends to be favoured by more of the less educated, those in single family homes and those not working.

Of the four treatment actions evaluated, the above action related to providing long term support for those with drug problems, stands out. It garners about 90% public support, with a 60% level of 'strong' support led by those living east of Main St.

The public also broadly supports two of the other treatment actions focussing on providing treatment beds for youth and improving methadone access. About 80% favour each of these actions overall with 50%-55% in 'strong' support. Opposition to each of these is only in the range of 15%.

Those keenest about providing treatment beds for youth outside of the Downtown Eastside tend to be under 55 years of age, renters, those living downtown and those living in accommodation other than single family homes. The most supportive of improving access to methadone via health centres tend to be males, those under 55 years of age, those from smaller size households (1-2) and those residing east of Main St.

As noted earlier, expanding and de-centralizing needle exchange services across the region is perhaps a more controversial proposition with 26% in opposition - 18% of the Vancouver public 'strongly' opposed. However, a two-thirds majority still supports this action overall and the proportion 'strongly' supporting it is significantly larger than the group opposing it (47% versus 26%). Those under 55 years once again tend to be most supportive of treatment.

Enforcement Actions

The Vancouver public broadly supports all three of the enforcement actions evaluated in the survey, especially increased policing targeted at organized crime, drug houses and drug dealers that supply to street level dealers.

Almost 90% support increasing policing of these activities, with two-thirds of residents supporting this enforcement action 'strongly'. The keenest sub-groups (over 70% 'strong' support) are the oldest age segment, homeowners, those residing downtown and those who highly rate the four-pillar approach.

Initiating a pilot drug treatment court and advocating for a range of programs that essentially treat drug problems as health rather than as criminal issues also receives as much overall support as increased policing, with just under 90% of the populace supporting this action. It does not receive quite the same high level of 'strong' support, however, at just over half (52%) of City residents.

A large majority (82%) of the public would also like to see authorities exploring options related to mandatory treatment for repeat criminals who are addicts and responsible for a high percentage if crimes in Vancouver. Similar to response to the pilot drug treatment court action, just over half the residents 'strongly' support this action. The 55 years plus, those in smaller households, those without post-secondary education and those who believe that Vancouver's crime rate is 'very much related' to the illegal drug trade are leading the way.

Harm Reduction Actions, which acknowledges that drug use does exist and takes action to minimize the harm this has on individuals and communities.

Vancouver residents clearly also favour the two harm reduction actions examined here, but perhaps not as fervently as some of the other actions proposed in the Draft Discussion Paper.

Overall, eight-in-ten support providing short-term shelter and housing for drug users living on the street, with over 40% across the region and demographic sub-groups indicating 'strong' support.

This research reveals that establishing a task force to consider developing safe consumption facilities to reduce health risks and minimize open drug scenes, is one of the two perhaps more controversial actions, along with expanding needle exchange services. Over 70%, however, support examining this issue further via a task force. Just under 40% 'strongly' support it, revealing a comparatively lower level of enthusiasm for this idea.

Over 20% are opposed - 16% 'strongly' opposed - to this specific harm reduction action. This overall level is higher than that of the other actions measured here, with the exception of needle exchange services where 26% of City residents are in opposition.

Deeply held acceptance of this action is greater among residents living east of Main St., outside the downtown area, while more downtown residents are 'strongly' opposed than their counterparts living elsewhere.

Link to graph (Harm Reduction Action 1)

Link to graph (Harm Reduction Action 2)

Three-quarters (77%) of Vancouver residents rate the four-pillar approach for Vancouver's drug problem favourably, with over 40% considering it as 'excellent' or 'very good'. An additional 35% rate it as 'good'. More of those who believe that Vancouver's crime rate is 'very much' related to the illegal drug trade are enthusiastic about this approach that integrates prevention, treatment, enforcement and harm reduction.

There are, however, some that are not particularly keen as just over 20% rate this approach for drug misuse as 'fair' or 'poor'. These people tend to have less education and /or be renters in the City.

Examination of the reasons for the ratings of the four-pillar approach reveals that Vancouverites primarily understand and appreciate a number of the benefits associated with this concept.

One-quarter (25%) of City residents, and an even higher proportion of those who rate the approach highly, believe "it's a good start" / "a step in the right direction". Further, over 10% in total appreciate that it is a multi-pronged approach - "it doesn't focus on just one element" / "it addresses the problem on a variety of levels". An equal size group supports the belief that the problem is a medical issue - "(we) need to treat as a health issue rather than a criminal one" / "more treatment-oriented". Others (6%) are simply pleased with consideration of a different approach - "new alternative approach" / "what's being done now is not working" / "need better approach".

Other reasons cited for the ratings show that people support certain pillars or elements of the approach to varying degrees:

Note in the case of enforcement, it appears that some believe there should be increased (or even possibly exclusive) emphasis on this specific aspect as it tends to be cited as a reason by more of those who do not highly rate the integrated approach.

Some City residents indicate that their rating is predicated on the approach being "implemented properly", "not just talk" (9%); others would like to see "more details / information " (5%) and / or "real results" / effects" (4%).

The main concerns expressed, especially by those who rate the approach less favourably, centre on these aspects:

Respondents were explained that while the Framework for Action paper deals with drug problems that are citywide and beyond, an urgent need has been identified in the Downtown Eastside. Further, they were told that The City along with the provincial and federal governments have developed an approximately 3 million dollar health and safety initiative for this area using the four-pillar approach. This initiative involves these key components:

When asked directly whether they support or oppose proceeding immediately with this initiative based on what they just heard, almost 90% give it the go-ahead. Over 60% of the populace, led by females, say they 'strongly' support proceeding, while less than 10% of total show any opposition. This seems to underscore both the importance of the issue and the public's evident desire to tackle the problems sooner rather than later.

Link to graph (Extent of Public Support for Proceeding Immediately with
Downtown Eastside Health and Safety Initiative

The reasons volunteered for their opinion, mainly in support, show that the public primarily believes this initiative represents a good starting point – "sounds good"/ "need to start somewhere" (32%), "start immediately"/ " as soon as possible"/ " before it gets worse" (15%). These, in fact, are the two main reasons volunteered by those who 'strongly' support proceeding immediately.

Other positive reasons cited by supporters in general are as follows:

Still others cite specific aspects of the initiative that they appreciate:

The main negatives to emerge centre on concerns that drug dealers may relocate, not solving the problem (11%), and that the initiative itself may not be successful ("probably is not enough" (5%) / "won’t do any good" (3%) / "drugs will always be here" (2%). There is also some concern that " the area of focus is too narrow" / "that the problem is city-wide" (5%).

Near the end of the survey all were asked to indicate their interest in participating in various forms of community consultation on the Draft Discussion Paper regarding Vancouver's drug problems.

The two most popular methods from among those listed are filling out a feedback form or questionnaire and an e-mail address to which you can send comments. These are each mentioned by 40%-50% of total, but not quite to the same degree by the oldest group, 55 years plus, who indicate they are the least likely to participate.

Attending public forums, small group meetings and by fax are all in the next tier, ranging in interest from about 25% to 35%.

About 30 % indicate that they are not interested in participating at all, but these levels increase among the oldest segment as noted, homeowners, those living west of Main St. outside the downtown area and those not working currently.

The chart following shows the relative appeal of the different ways to participate.

Link to graph (Interest in Participating in Community Consultation on Draft Discussion Paper)

An increasingly large proportion of City residents believes that Vancouver's crime rate is 'very much' related to the illegal drug trade.

Response to a question asked in a City survey conducted in September 1997, near the time of the launch of the City's Coalition for Crime Prevention and Drug Treatment, showed that over 40% of the City of Vancouver population believed the crime rate is 'very much' related to the illegal drug trade. This view has increased to 65% currently – a jump of over 20 percentage points. Further, this pattern is consistent across the three regions of the City we examined - downtown, and outside the downtown area, west of Main St. and east of Main St.

Very few continue to believe that Vancouver's crime rate is not at least 'somewhat' related to the drug trade (was 6% 'not very' or 'not at all related' in 1997 and is now at 2%).

Belief in this strong link increases with age and is noticeably higher among homeowners and those aware of the Vancouver Sun series on the Downtown Eastside.

Link to graph (Extent to Which Vancouver Crime Rate is Related to Illegal Drug Trade)

In another question, similar to the past, designed to monitor public attitudes toward the legalization of certain drugs, we witness growing support for legalizing the use of marijuana, but not for heroin.

The proportion of City residents that supports legalization of marijuana is now 57%, up from 48% evidenced in September 1997. The proportion that holds this view 'strongly' is at 30%, up directionally from the 26% of three years ago. This support tends to be higher among males and those under 55 years.

The gap between support and opposition is now a significant 21 points, (57% versus 36%), whereas City opinion was polarized in the past. The proportion that 'strongly' opposes legalizing marijuana use, however, has been consistent at just over 25% of the populace.

Views on legalizing heroin have basically stayed constant over the past three years, with a three-quarters majority of residents continuing to oppose this step. Most are adamantly opposed as over 60% still 'strongly' disagree with this proposition. Overall support remains at just under 20%.

In a new question this year, when asked about the medical use of heroin for drug treatment purposes, however, the opposition to heroin use drops dramatically.

The proportion opposed decreases to just over 20%, while about 60% support the medical use of heroin in drug treatment - over 30% indicating 'strong' support. This keen support derives from more of the males and those 55 years plus. Higher proportions of those aware of the Framework for Action Draft Discussion Paper and those who highly rate the four-pillar approach to drug misuse are supporters of heroin use for drug treatment as well.

Link to graph 1 (Extent of Public Support for Legalizing/Using Certain Drugs)

Link to graph 2 (Extent of Public Support for Legalizing/Using Certain Drugs)

Link to graph 3 (Extent of Public Support for Legalizing/Using Certain Drugs)