Attitudes to decriminalization or legalization
Q. Thinking about the issue of illegal drugs in Australia, which has one of the highest per capita illicit drug use in the world, please indicate which position is closer to your view:
Sample B (N=501) |
Total
|
Have a close friend or relative (n=69) |
No close friend or relative (n=417) |
Vote Labor (n=159) |
Vote Lib/Nat (n=205) |
Vote Greens (n=40) |
We should legalise all illegal drugs (including production and trafficking within Australia) to reduce the unregulated black market trade in these substances. |
7% |
12% |
6% |
10% |
5% |
13% |
We should legalise small scale illegal drug use and possession, but maintain criminal prohibitions on production and trafficking. |
30% |
41% |
26% |
35% |
22% |
40% |
We should prohibit all activities related to illegal drugs in Australia, including production, trafficking, large and small-scale production and use. |
57%
|
45% |
59% |
50% |
67% |
30% |
None of the above |
7% |
3% |
8% |
5% |
6% |
18% |
The largest portion of those respondents with a close friend or relative that regularly uses believe in prohibiting all activities related to illegal drugs in Australia (45%), followed by legalizing small scale illegal drug use and possession (41%), however this difference may be on account of margin of error in the small sub-sample size.
Once again, Coalition voters were the most likely to take the view that ‘we should prohibit all activities related to illegal drugs in Australia…’ (67%) compared to the rest of the sample by voting intention.

COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Essential Report
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Views towards re-electing the federal Coalition government
- Party trust to handle issues
- Importance of Australia’s international reputation
- Scott Morrison’s impact on Australia’s international reputation
- Views towards Australia’s international reputation
Sign up for updates
Receive the Essential Report in your inbox.Essential Tags
Recent Comments
