Most Canberrans (82 per cent) supported the decriminalisation of cannabis, while twice as many ACT residents approved of regular cannabis use (20 per cent) than smoking (10.6 per cent), according to the 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) published earlier this month.

The NDSHS, by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, focuses on Australians’ attitudes to and perceptions of drug-related issues: the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs, and measures to reduce drug use and drug-related harm.

“Understanding what Australians think about drug use and their level of support for government drug policies is important for policy planning, development, and evaluation,” the AIHW states.

The ACT has taken a notably progressive line on drug use. It was the first Australian jurisdiction to make the possession, cultivation, and consumption of small amounts of cannabis for recreational use legal (2019), and the first to decriminalise heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine (this year) – treating drug use as a medical issue rather than a criminal one, the bills’ proponent, Labor MLA Michael Pettersson argued. It also trialled the first government-approved pill testing service.

• ACT decriminalises small amounts of some illicit drugs (9 June)
• Pill testing really does reduce the risk of harm for drug users (27 April)
• Greens welcome routine pill testing in Canberra’s CBD (13 October 2021)
• New recreational cannabis laws explained (30 January 2020)

“I don’t think these results will come as surprise to most Canberrans,” Mr Pettersson said.

“I suspect that public sentiment will continue to shift because increasingly Canberrans know that drug use is first and foremost a public health issue.

“Canberrans are smart. We can have a sensible conversation about our drug laws, based on evidence, and ignore the scaremongering that often takes place when this issue is raised.  

“I look forward to the ACT continuing this conversation because this issue is too important to ignore.”

Some of the findings:

Cannabis and other drugs

• 82 per cent of people in the ACT thought possession of cannabis should not be a criminal offence, compared with 78 per cent across Australia. 10 per cent thought possession should be a criminal offence – two-thirds the figure in 2010, when 31 per cent thought possession should be a criminal offence.
• 45 per cent of people in ACT supported legalising cannabis for personal use, compared with 41 per cent across Australia.
• Only 39.1 per cent of ACT residents supported increased penalties for the sale or supply of marijuana / cannabis, but most supported increased penalties for the sale or supply of heroin (80.1 per cent), meth/amphetamine (80.7 per cent), cocaine (72.5 per cent), and ecstasy (71.3 per cent).
• 57.3 per cent of ACT residents thought no action or a warning should be given when someone is found in possession of marijuana / cannabis; 22.6 per cent thought they should be referred to a treatment or education program.
• 11 per cent of people in the ACT would try cannabis if it were legal – twice as many as in 2010 (5 per cent). 8.5 per cent would use it as often as they do now, 77.5 per cent would not use it.
• 70 per cent of ACT residents supported pill testing in 2019, compared to 56.6 per cent across Australia. 18.3 per cent opposed pill testing, compared to 27 per cent across Australia.
• Opposition to legalising ecstasy for personal use remains high: 84 per cent (a fall of 5 per cent from 89 per cent in 2010).

Tobacco

• Only 10.6 per cent of ACT residents approved of the regular use of tobacco; 70.3 per cent opposed it.
• 20 per cent approve of the regular use of cannabis; 50.5 per cent oppose it.
• 65.1 per cent of ACT residents supported making it harder to buy tobacco in shops.
• 63.7 per cent of ACT residents supported raising the legal age for sale of tobacco to 21 years.
• 84.8 per cent of people supported stricter penalties for sale or supply of tobacco to minors.
• 81.7 per cent of ACT residents supported prohibiting the sale of electronic cigarettes to people under 18 years of age.
• Most ACT residents supported increasing the tax on tobacco products to contribute to the cost of treating smoking-related diseases (75 per cent), and to discourage people from smoking (69 per cent).
• 72.4 per cent of people in the ACT supported restricting use of electronic cigarettes in public places (similar to cigarette restrictions).

Alcohol

• 84.7 per cent of people in ACT would support more severe penalties for drink driving to reduce alcohol-related harm.
• 57.7 per cent supported banning alcohol sponsorship of sporting events (compared to 53 per cent across Australia).
• 58.7 per cent supported increasing the number of alcohol-free zones or dry areas.
• 41.9 per cent opposed reducing trading hours for pubs or clubs.
• 32.6 per cent supported and 41.1 per cent opposed raising the legal drinking age.
• 78.1 per cent supported stricter enforcement of laws against supplying minors.
• 56.6 per cent supported regulation of alcohol supply to minors on private premises.

The 2022 survey is currently in the field, and will be completed in early December. Households are randomly selected to complete the survey and have their say.

“There are many people in our community who use drugs and lead otherwise normal lives,” said Johnathan Davis MLA, ACT Greens spokesperson for Drug Harm Reduction. “These are our family members, co-workers, and friends. Unfortunately, some people experience problems associated with the consumption of alcohol and other drugs.

“As someone who has cared for a relative who has experienced problems with drug use, I deeply understand the need for support and compassion towards people who experience issues with alcohol and drug use.  

“We know that stigma and discrimination against people who use drugs has perverse outcomes for individuals, their families, and communities. As such, I welcome the report released [on 14 July] from AIHW which demonstrates that the Canberra community are supportive of harm reduction approaches to drug use. Harm reduction approaches recognise the humanity of people who use drugs by implementing policies to enable and encourage people to access support.

“The ACT Greens are proud to lead the country in enacting an evidence based, harm reduction approach to drug use,” he said.