Nearly 1 in 3 Americans say drug use caused trouble in their families: Gallup

A new Gallup poll reveals that nearly 1 in 3 Americans say drug use has been a problem in their families.

The survey found that 32 percent of Americans say drugs have been the cause of trouble in their families.

That percentage has steadily increased since the survey giant began examining the issue.

In the mid- to late-90s, approximately 18 percent of respondents said that drugs were a problem in their families. When Gallup revisited the question in 2010, the results showed an 11-point increase.

The most significant increase in the new survey came from Americans living in rural areas and those in high-income households, which both rose by 11 points. However, the drug problem has increased across all demographic groups, Gallup noted. 

Americans also have been more likely to describe the drug problem in the United States as “extremely” or “very serious” than characterize their local areas in the same way. While 64 percent now say the nation has an extremely or very serious drug problem, only 31 percent of respondents agree for their local area.