Correcting for the underreporting of drug use in opinion surveys

Abstract

Survey data is one of the major mechanisms for measuring patterns of drug use across populations. But because drug use can be both a legal and an illegal activity, the accuracy of self-reported measures of use has been a continual problem. The sealed booklet questionnaire overcomes these problems by guaranteeing the respondent some degree of anonymity. This paper reports results from a modified booklet method used in a drug use survey with a national population sample. The method produces better estimated than direct questions, yet guarantees the respondent anonymity. In addition, the analysis shows that underreporting for different drugs is behaviorally motivated rather than drug-specific. The results suggest that adults are more concerned about potential use, while adolescents are more concerned about past use.