Trends in Public Opinion About US Illicit Drug Policy: Results From the 2000 to 2025 Gallup Survey

This study investigates American perceptions of progress in illicit drug policy and the severity of the drug problem from 2000 to 2025, utilizing data from the Gallup Poll Social Survey. The findings reveal that less than half of Americans consistently perceive progress against illicit drugs, with significant partisan differences influencing these perceptions, particularly in the context of political leadership. The authors highlight that increasing political polarization may hinder the development of a unified national drug control strategy.