Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/349229
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 20 JULY 2014 16 MaltaToday survey SUNDAY, 20 JULY 2014 to try the drug if its use is decrimi- nalised as proposed in the current law. This suggests that people are not likely to change their behav- iour if the legal status of cannabis is changed. All those who indicated that they will be more inclined to try the drug if its legal status is changed were respondents who replied yes when asked whether they know a cannabis smoker. 32% of younger respondents want cannabis legalised Respondents were asked to choose the five options ranging from harsh- er penalties for users to complete le- galisation of the sale of drugs. The most striking finding is that among 16- to 34-year-olds one in every three (32%) agrees with a sys- tem in which cannabis is legally sold to consumers while all other drugs remain illegal. Interestingly, university-educated respondents were slightly more likely to advocate harsher penalties for users, (19% compared to 17% of general population) but also more likely to advocate the complete le- galisation of drugs. While only 3% of the general popu- lation agrees with a system where all drugs are sold legally, the percentage rises to 9% among the university- educated. The survey shows that among the general population 40% advocate ei- ther keeping drugs illegal or harsher penalties against users, while 57% advocate either decriminalisation or some form of legalisation. Yet this more liberal outlook con- trasts with a vast majority in favour of imprisoning addicts who sell drugs to finance their habit. 62% want addicts who sell drugs imprisoned The survey shows 62% of respond- ents favouring imprisonment of ad- dicts caught selling drugs to finance their addiction. Respondents were given a choice between three options: imprison- ment, depenalisation and imprison- ment only in case where the addict refuses attending a rehabilitation programme. Only 30% replied that addicts who sell drugs should be imprisoned only if they refuse rehabilitation. But the survey also suggests a more com- passionate attitude among younger respondents, 43% of whom believe that addicts should be jailed only if they refuse to follow a rehabilitation programme. Methodology A total of 532 respondents were contacted by telephone between Thursday 10 July and Thursday 17 July. Of these 400 accepted to partic- ipate. The results of the survey were weighed to reflect the age and bal- ance of population. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 4.9 points. 16-34 35-54 55+ All Yes 91.9 82.3 78.1 84.6 No 5.4 15.4 17.4 13 Don't Know 2.7 2.3 4.5 2.4 People caught for the first time with an amount of drugs intended for their own personal use, should be warned but not prosecuted in court. Do you agree? University Post-Sec Secondary Primary Yes 78.1 82 83.6 72.9 No 15.6 14 12.3 24.3 Don't Know 6.3 4 4.1 2.8 16-34 35-54 55+ All Yes 70.2 43.5 41.6 51.2 No 27 48.9 51.1 42.9 Don't know 2.8 7.6 7.3 5.9 People caught with an amount of cannabis intended for personal use should be warned but never prosecuted in court. Do you agree? University Post Sec Secondary Primary Yes 50 60 42.6 40 No 43.8 40 48.2 52.9 Don't Know 6.3 0 9.2 7.1 Decriminalisation, 16-34 35-54 55+ Yes 91.9 82.3 78.1 No 5.4 15.4 17.4 University Post-Sec Sec Yes 78.1 82 83.6 No 15.6 14 12.3 'Do you know anyone who smokes Cannabis smokers should not be prosecuted in court 'Cannabis smokers do NOT have more problems than alcohol users' Agree with decriminal- isation of drugs Agree with legalisation of cannabis 67.2% 59% 54% 19.7%