Eighty per cent of Tasmanians do not believe possession of cannabis should be a criminal offence, new data released today (15 July) has revealed.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report, Australia’s attitudes and perceptions towards drugs by region, 2019, also found that just under half believe cannabis should be legalised for personal use.
Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council Tasmania (ATDC), CEO Alison Lai said the release of this information today was perfectly timed in a Tasmanian context given discussions were underway regarding the Tasmanian Government’s proposed Tasmanian Drug Strategy 2022-2027.
“We have said just this week that the proposed strategy needs further work and should not be endorsed in its current form,” she said.
“One of our principal concerns about the strategy’s development is the lack of connection with the Tasmanian community.
“The data released today confirms what our organisation has been saying – that attitudes and expectations are changing in regard to how Tasmanians want the government to respond to drug use in their community.
“There is clearly a desire for more contemporary, health-based drug policy responses.”
The data also revealed there was strong support for pill testing in Hobart (61 per cent) with Launceston at 54 per cent followed by the north-west coast at 45 per cent.
There was also support for a health response (rather than a legal one) to illicit drug possession for personal use for drugs like heroin and methamphetamine.
Ms Lai said it was important to note that the information was collected in 2019.
“It’s our view that a number of the findings would have shifted further since then, particularly in support for the decriminalisation of illicit substances such as cannabis,” she said.
The full data searchable by postcode is available here:
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/australias-attitudes-and-perceptions-towards-drugs/contents/about
Available for interview:
- Alison Lai – CEO, ATDC – 0450 517 017
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