Differences among medical professionals in their attitude toward drugs

This study was designed to explore the characteristics of medical personnel who might be related to illicit opiate use. Physicians, veterinarians, and dentists, all professionals having relatively high access to opiates, were compared on a number of attitudinal variable relating to drugs. Group differences were observed in regard to the perceived benefit and potential danger of specific drugs. The authors advocate a focus on the role demands of the professional rather than an analysis of the personality characteristics of individuals within the profession.