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Date: April 30, 1999
RE: Results for Zogby New York
The survey of 700 voters throughout New York State was conducted Monday, April
26 through Wednesday, April 28, 1999. All calls were made from Zogby
International headquarters in Utica, New York. The poll has a margin of sampling
error of +/- 3.8%. Error margins are higher for sub-groups.
Finally, a few questions about controlled substances.
23. New York's drug laws are among the toughest in the country. There are now
thousands of men and women in New York's prisons serving long sentences for drug
possession or selling small amounts of drugs. If your state legislator were to
vote in favor of a bill to reduce some sentences, and give judges greater
discretion to decide appropriate penalties, would this make you much more
likely, somewhat more likely, somewhat less likely, or much less likely, to vote
for him or her, or would it make no difference?
Much more likely 29.1
Somewhat more likely 21.2
Somewhat less likely 8.6
Much less likely 16.5
No difference 21.5
Not sure 2.8
Nearly 30 percent of respondents favor granting legislators and judges greater
latitude in determining penalties and sentences for drug offenders. The
strongest support comes from New York City (33%) and those who live in large
cities in general, the 50-64 age group, and college graduates.
Republicans (22.7%), the 50-64 age group and the $50-64,999 income group were
much less likely to support legislators or judges who want to reduce penalties
on drug offenders.
More than one-third (37.8%) of those in the 18-29 age bracket,
African-Americans, and the $15-$24,999 income level say it would make no
difference.
24. Many state legislatures believe that New York's drug laws are too strict,
and result in many non-violent drug offenders serving prison sentences longer
than violent criminals. But legislators also fear being labeled "soft on drugs"
if they vote for legislation to reduce prison terms for non-violent drug
offenders. Do you think anyone who votes for reducing prison terms for drug
offenders is "soft on drugs?"
Yes 31.1 No 63.9 Not sure 5.0
A majority in every sub-group, except Hispanics, would not label a legislator
"soft" if he/she reduced prison terms. Hispanics were evenly-divided (49.5% say
no and 48.7% say yes). Those most in approval were college graduates (71.2%) and
those in the $75,000 income bracket (79.2%).
Catholics (37%), 50-64 year-olds, and non-union workers (32.6%) were most
opposed to reducing prison terms for drug offenders.
25. Some people think anyone caught in possession of illegal drugs should be
sent to jail or prison. Others think it makes little sense to imprison people
for simple drug possession and they should receive treatment instead. Which
comes closer to your own opinion - jail or prison, or treatment?
Jail or prison 18.9 Treatment 73.8 Not sure 7.2
Treatment is favored by three-quarters (76.8%) of respondents in New York City,
African-Americans, Hispanics, most age groups and income levels, union workers,
females, and those who live in large cities. The strongest support for treatment
(82.8%) comes from those in the less than $15,000 income bracket.
One-quarter of Republicans (27.3%) and suburbanites prefer jail terms.
26. Methadone (meth-ah-done) is a medication that, when properly administered,
can eliminate cravings for heroin and block its effects. Methadone treatment is
only administered through special clinics. Do you agree or disagree that people
addicted to heroin should be able to receive methadone treatment at ordinary
doctors' and health clinic offices as well?
Agree 60.0 Disagree 30.4 Not sure 9.7
By a better than 8% margin, more Upstaters than suburbanites (64.8%-52.4%) and
Democrats than Republicans (64.2%-52.1%) agree there should be additional
methadone treatment
facilities. African-Americans are closely divided (48.9% agree-43% disagree), as
are Hispanics (57.6%-37.4%).
There is very strong agreement from Jewish respondents (71.5%) and those in the
$75,000 income bracket (72.9%).
27. Would you favor or oppose a policy that allows New York physicians to
prescribe marijuana for medical purposes to seriously and terminally ill
patients, to alleviate symptoms of disease and the side effects associated with
treatments.
Favor 80.2 Oppose 16.3 Not sure 3.5
Overall, four in five (80.2%) favor a "policy that allows New York physicians to
prescribe" marijuana for medical reasons to patients, while 16.3% are opposed
and 3.5% are not sure.
Independents (86.2%) are more likely than Democrats (80.8%) or Republicans
(75.9%) to favor such a policy and whites (82.1%) and Hispanics (82.5%) are
significantly more likely to favor the medical use of marijuana than are African
Americans (64.2%). Support for the measure increases with income and decreases
with age.
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