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.
Statistics are shown for this demographic
Local Government Area
State Electorate
Response rates from 559 Anti-Capitalism voters.
82% Yes |
18% No |
66% Yes |
11% No |
10% Yes, and retroactively reduce sentences for those already serving time |
4% No, but decriminalise drugs that offer medicinal benefits such as marijuana |
6% Yes, for most but not all drugs |
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 559 Anti-Capitalism voters.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
Trend of how important this issue is for 559 Anti-Capitalism voters.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
Unique answers from Anti-Capitalism 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
@B2JPYVW1wk1W
Decriminalise marijuana, increase addiction prevention and rehab funding, reduce sentences for non-violent possession crimes, increase punishment for dealers and drug traffickers
@B2BNNXY3wks3W
regulate and tax drugs that have a potential for medicinal and recreational use that has a limited impact on society
@B28SZVM4wks4W
Yes, for a few such as decriminalise drugs that offer medicinal benefits such as marijuana; increase funding for addiction prevention and rehabilitation; and retroactively reduce sentences for already serving time with regards to marijuana based crimes
@9ZMSSFB3mos3MO
The criteria for which drugs are illegal must be consistent. There is no scientifically literate argument for why marijuana is worse for you than alcohol.
@9XV95S33mos3MO
no but decriminalise marijuana and other medicinal drugs and put more money and effort into rehabilitation programs. Drug dealers should serve longer sentences though.
Stay up-to-date on the most recent “Drug Policy” news articles, updated frequently.
Join in on the most popular conversations.