Time for Change Survey and Report

28 “Access to support rather than punitive measures should be provided to [all] who want support.” “I don't believe that imprisonment is a useful or helpful approach in addressing harm from drugs, as once people are released, unless they have a safe and secure support network surrounding them, they tend to relapse. Most who are on short sentences or who are remanded in custody are not able to access any D&A support” According to the Drug Policy Modelling Program’s Evidence Hub, the majority of people across Australia prefer non-criminal responses to the use and/or possession of currently illegal drug s. 8 Specifically, in New South Wales, 93% favour non-criminal responses to cannabis, 84% prefer non-criminal responses to MDMA, 74% support non-criminal approaches for heroin, 73% for meth, and 79% for hallucinogens. Respondents in SSDP’s #BeHeardNotHarmed Survey indicated even greater support for the decriminalisation of all drugs for personal use in Australia (85%) . 9 Given this sample predominantly included young people who use drugs, support for decriminalisation may be particularly important for this demographic. Additionally, 60% of #BeHeardNotHarmed respondents also reported the legal status of drugs as a barrier to accessing both mental health and alcohol and other drug support services, suggesting that decriminalisation can facilitate help-seeking for those who want/need it. Growing research on desistance from crime — the long-term cessation of currently illegal activities, such as drug use and possession for the purposes of this report — highlights key factors that support an individual's desistance proces s. 10 T hese include family support, social networks, meaningful opportunities (such as employment pathways), and the "age-crime curve." When applying this framework to the data presented here, it becomes evident that individuals should be supported in achieving the life they aspire to, rather than being subjected to punitive measures and punishment for engaging in alcohol and drug use. 8 Drug Policy Modelling Progr am (2024) ‘Public opinion on what action should be taken against people found in possession of illicit drugs for personal use?’ DPMP Evidence hub for the NSW Drug Summit 2024. Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW . Available here. 9 Stronach O, Farah B & Webb P (2024) ‘#BeHeardNotHarmed National Survey Report.’ Students for Sensible Drug Policy Australia . Available here. 10 McNeill et al (2012) ‘Evidence summaries to support social services in Scotland: how and why people stop offending. Discovering desistance’ Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services . Available here.