Entry:

Gallup, Jr., George and Bezilla, Robert, "How Drugs Became the Public's Most Important Problem Facing the Country," Paper presented to the American Association for Public Opinion Research, Lancaster, PA, May, 1990.

Abstract:

The public perception of drugs as America's largest social problem may stem from 1) concern since 1970 over a lack of funding to solve the problem, 2) most people are exposed to drugs, 3) other issues declined in importance 4) President Bush's focus on the subject, and 5) raised public consciousness on the ill effects of drugs.

1973-1988

Other Data Sets:

Gallup 1970-90; CBS/NYT 1986-90