Abstract
Public opinion plays a crucial role in the policy making process in democratic
nations. In regards to drug policy, often labelled a “morality policy”, public opinion
may be particularly important. This thesis aims to provide an evidence based
understanding of public opinion towards drug policy (based on the results from opinion
surveys), and to investigate a number of existing assumptions about the nature of public
opinion.
Studies 1 and 2 involved analyses of data from the National Drug Strategy
Household Survey. The study demonstrated a decrease in support for cannabis law
reform since the 1990s, accompanied by an increase in support for harm reduction
interventions. This suggests that many in the community think differently about these
issues. Older, married, and less educated respondents were among those who held more
“conservative” opinions regarding drug policy.
Study 3 compared the results from 15 different opinion surveys in drug policy,
finding that small differences in survey methodology may contribute to divergent
results, and therefore influence our conception of public opinion.
Study 4 examined the relationship between cannabis expiation in Australia and
public opinion. Previous studies have focused on the relationship between expiation and
the prevalence of cannabis use, leaving a gap in knowledge of the potential effects of
this policy. The current study found no relationship between expiation and increased
approval of cannabis use, indicating that this policy has not “sent a message” about this
behaviour. The study also found that those living in expiation jurisdictions were less
likely to support cannabis law reform.
Studies 5 and 6 examined the role of the news media in influencing public
opinion, focusing on two treatments for heroin dependence; methadone and naltrexone.
Utilising a sample of 838 newspaper articles, the study demonstrated a positive
relationship between the volume of media reporting on naltrexone, and public support
for this treatment.
In summary, results from this thesis indicate that many commonly held
assumptions regarding public opinion, including the assumption that opinion is “strong”
or “certain”, are likely to be proven inaccurate when examining the evidence.