Aussies support medical marijuana, heroin-injecting rooms

Melbourne, Aug 31 : A new survey has found that most Australians would back the clinical trials of cannabis for medical use.

More than 23,000 people over the age of 12 were quizzed about their personal use and attitudes to drugs for the 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Almost 50 per cent of respondents said they would support regulated heroin injecting rooms, reports the Courier Mail.

The nationwide survey showed 70 per cent supported legalising cannabis for medical reasons, while approval of clinical trials for cannabis approached 75 per cent.

Most people also looked favourably on needle and syringe programs, which were supported by more than 65 per cent.

When it came to tobacco, there was firm support across the board for bans on smoking in workplaces, pubs and clubs.

The survey showed that more than 80 per cent of Australians wanted smoking banned in the workplace, with Canberrans most strongly in favour at close to 85 per cent.

And more than 75 per cent of respondents wanted smoking banned from pubs and clubs.

On alcohol, the survey found that 80 per cent of Australians also wanted tougher bans on drink-driving, but there was far less support for tax hikes.

Less than a quarter of respondents supported a hike on alcohol prices.

However, about 40 per cent would support a hike if the funding was used for drinking-education programs.

About 45 per cent of Australians wanted the legal drinking age lifted, with Queenslanders the most supportive of the idea.

ANI