NEWS: ABC - 18/12/08 'Australians support tough stance on drugs'

[hoptis]

Australians support tough stance on alcohol, tobacco and drugs: report
Posted Thu Dec 18, 2008 6:21am AEDT

A new report released today show Australians support a tough stance on alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs.

The report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that when it comes to drugs, Australians are most concerned about alcohol.

Half of all recent drinkers say they have curbed their alcohol consumption, mostly for health reasons.

The report shows a decline in the number of smokers, and even those who continue to smoke are cutting back.

Marijuana and methamphetamine use is also down, but the use of cocaine and tranquillisers for non-medical reasons has increased.

Most Australians say they support policies which aim to reduce alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use.

The report finds there little support in the community for the legalisation of illicit drugs such as ecstasy, marijuana and cocaine.

ABC

 

[baysieguy1]

Would be interesting to see the demographic of people surveyed!!!

you always have to remember, there are lies, damn lies, then statistics!

 

[WILDSTRAWBERRIES]

"Australians support tough stance on drugs"

Australians? Or "people who we asked, who we know will support tough stance on drugs"?

 

[st420]

haha that doesnt sound like anything me or anyone else i know would say

 

[ayjay]

I saw a presentation from a UNSW researcher recently on just this question - basically she said that public opinion doesn't align strongly with any ideological position. Support for legalisation of cannabis peaked in the 90s at around 40% and has since been dropping. In general people support non-punitive responses to drug use, but harsh penalties for sale/supply. There is high support for harm reduction (over 50% support needle syringe programs, for example).