Recreational use of illicit drugs including marijuana, cocaine and heroin is currently illegal in Australia. In 1985, the federal and state governments adopted a National Drug Strategy which included a pragmatic mixture of prohibition and a stated objective of harm reduction. Between 1998 and 2007 overall illicit drug use declined close to 40%. Amphetamines use declined by 38%; cannabis use fell by close to 50%; and use of heroin dropped by an impressive 75%. In February 2016 parliament amended the Narcotics Drugs Act, and created a national licensing scheme for the controlled cultivation and testing of medical cannabis.
Response rates from 531k Australia voters.
49% Yes |
51% No |
37% Yes |
41% No |
10% Yes, for most but not all drugs |
6% No, but decriminalise drugs that offer medicinal benefits such as marijuana |
1% Yes, and retroactively reduce sentences for those already serving time |
2% No, but increase funding for addiction prevention and rehabilitation |
1% No, we should pass tougher drug laws |
|
0% No, and increase punishment for drug dealers |
Trend of support over time for each answer from 531k Australia voters.
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Trend of how important this issue is for 531k Australia voters.
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Unique answers from Australia voters whose views went beyond the provided options.
@4ZJVPR54yrs4Y
Only Marijuana and tax it at 99%. Life sentences for anyone who grows their own
@4THS3BK4yrs4Y
No, we should have the political will to remove the drugs from our streets. I'm sure the authorities know who the dealers/importers are and are most likely to be. I honestly think that it is such a lucrative black market business that the government turns a blind eye or lacks the political will to enforce the law.
@8KYXNYH4yrs4Y
Strongly support medical license drugs such as marijuana and ketamine - though wish to keep them medicinal
@9TCBGDX3wks3W
Yes, reduce sentences for those serving and spend money on programs to rehabilitate users back in to society and make services accessible
@9SMKKPV1mo1MO
Only decriminalise drugs that do not harm its users and the people around them, there should also be more rehabilitation facilities and the drugs in question should be monitored by the Australian Pharmaceutical Association to make sure they are safe for consumer use. However it should be punishable for selling unregulated drugs and also selling to minors.
@9RZRC7P2mos2MO
Drug use should be treated as a medical issue rather than a criminal issue, however, laws around dealing drugs should still be intact.
@9RJFBD42mos2MO
Yes but with regulation, we should allow people of society to purchase non-harmful drugs of all sorts, but the more harmful drugs should be limited and people should have a certain amount regulation, and all harmful and addictive drugs with exceptions should not be provided to people with criminal records involving drugs, same with people with history’s of addiction.
@9RBCFVB2mos2MO
Possibly, not for all drugs of course and make sure to provide help and rehabilitation to anyone struggling with addiction
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