ATTITUDES TOWARD PERSONS WHO ABUSE DRUGS IN ONE URBAN COMMUNITY ON THE ISLAND OF NEW PROVIDENCE, BAHAMAS

ATITUDES FRENTE LAS PERSONAS QUE ABUSAN DROGAS EN UNA COMUNIDAD URBANA EN LA ISLA DE NEW PROVIDENCE, BAHAMAS

ATITUDES FRENTE ÀS PESSOAS QUE ABUSAM DROGAS EM UMA COMUNIDADE URBANA DE NEW PROVIDENCE, BAHAMAS

ABSTRACT

Objective:

to explore the attitudes toward persons who abuse drugs (alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine) in one urban community on the Island of New Providence, in the Bahamas.

Method:

a cross-sectional survey was utilized to get the data. The sample size was 126 respondents.

Results:

attitudes toward persons who abuse cocaine were significantly more negative compared to attitudes toward persons who abuse marijuana and alcohol. Age and level of educational attainment were associated with more negative attitudes toward persons who abuse cocaine. Personal use of marijuana and knowing someone who abused the substance were correlated with more positive attitudes toward persons who abuse marijuana.

Conclusion:

attitudes toward persons who abuse drug in the Bahamas varied depending on the type of drug abused.

DESCRIPTORS
Attitudes; Drug abuse; Substance use disorders; Social distance; Social stigma