Survey reveals strong support for decriminalising marijuana

By MARK RILEY

A survey of a traditionally conservative NSW electorate has shown
overwhelming community support for the decriminalisation of
marijuana, as the State's political parties review their stance on
drug law reform.

The survey of 4,865 constituents by the Liberal MP for Gosford, Mr
Chris Hartcher, shows a growing dichotomy in community attitudes to
crime, with calls for tough action at the extreme end of crime and
leniency for minor offences.

More than 80 per cent of respondents to Mr Hartcher's survey said
they did not believe the personal possession or use of marijuana
should continue to be a criminal offence.

But an almost identical proportion said they would support the
introduction of the death penalty for "extreme" crimes. The results
would be heartening for the Carr Government, which has recently
announced plans to amend State laws to ensure people are no longer
sent to jail for minor marijuana crimes.

The response to the proposals is being monitored closely by the
Government as it wrestles with the larger policy question of
whether to support the introduction of supervised heroin injecting
rooms for addicts.

The Gosford survey findings reinforce community support for the
strong law and order platforms of both the Government and
Opposition on the more serious categories of crime. Mr Hartcher
said yesterday that he was surprised by the responses to the
question on marijuana reform and would take the results to the
Coalition's joint party meetings as it developed its policy
response to the Government's proposed amendments to marijuana laws.
The Leader of the National Party, Mr Ian Armstrong, has already
voiced his staunch opposition to the softening of marijuana laws.

The Opposition spokeswoman on health and a senior Liberal Party
member, Mrs Jillian Skinner, has similarly indicated that she would
oppose the reforms.

Mr Hartcher declined to put his views on the reforms yesterday,
saying he would reserve his opinion for the party room discussion.

The survey also showed that 52 per cent of respondents opposed
introducing legislation in NSW to allow euthanasia.

This contradicted national polling, which showed majority support
for euthanasia, and reflected the conservatism of his electorate,
Mr Hartcher said. Despite this, an overwhelming majority 95 per
cent said they believed there should be continued public debate
on the euthanasia issue.