Time for Change Survey and Report

5 Executive Summary This survey is a collaborative effort between three allied organisations, Family Drug Support (FDS), Harm Reduction Australia (HRA) and Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) Australia. This report presents data from an ongoing research initiative, including a series of national surveys conducted over the past 5 year s. 1 Under this initiative each participating organisation independently conducted similar surveys aimed at assessing the level of support among their constituents for reform in the area of alcohol and other drug policie s. 2,3 ,4 U pon comparing results, notable similarities and trends emerged, prompting the three organisations to collaborate on a centralised data collection and reporting process. This report represents an important step in a broader effort to track trends and shifts in attitudes toward drug policy reform over time. We discuss the findings from our 2024 Drug Policy Survey and include recommendations for policy reform based on clear community demand. For further recommendations, evidence, and advocacy, we recommend exploring the work of each organisation: FDS, HRA, an d SSDP. People who use drugs are uniquely affected by drug policies and face high levels of stigma, discrimination, legal consequences, and a multitude of other barriers to accessing support and looking after their own health. Families, friends, and supporters of people who use drugs also experience unique impacts of poor policies, as they often face unexpected collateral consequences from the drug dependencies and/or use of their loved ones. This can include supporting loved ones, responding to overdoses, managing challenging behaviours such as violence and abuse, and coping with the shame and stigma from the broader community, which may unfairly assume there is something inherently wrong with their family dynamics. Many professionals working in the alcohol and other drug sector, as well as in harm reduction services, witness firsthand how their support and compassion, and public health initiatives, can significantly improve the health and wellbeing of individuals who use drugs and/or are seeking to reduce or manage their substance use. These professionals understand the engagement strategies and policies that are most effective when working with people who use drugs, their families, and their communities. 1 Span C, Stronach O & Farah B (2024) ‘Families professionals and young people: three national surveys exploring attitudes towards drug policy reform,’ Family Drug Support, Harm Reduction Australia, Students for Sensible Drug Policy Australia. Available here. 2 Span C (2022) ‘Time for change: voices to be heard survey report’ Family Drug Support . Available here. 3 Farah B, Stronach O, Kent N & Houston J (2022) ‘Community survey of drug policy research report: July 2022,’ Students for Sensible Drug Policy Australia . Available here. 4 Madden A, Span C & Vumbaca, G (2022) ‘HRA Biannual Survey Summary Report 2021 - 2022,’ Harm Reduction Australia . Available here.