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Solutions Not Stigma Report: Community Voices on Drug Reform

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Findings from The 2024 Drug Policy Survey

Our Solutions Not Stigma Report amplifies the perspectives of diverse communities towards drug policy reform, with 23 evidence-based recommendations for government action and wider policy change. 

Developed in collaboration with Harm Reduction Australia (HRA) and Family Drug Support (FDS), this report presents findings from the 2024 Drug Policy Survey, where 1,167 people shared their views on harm reduction, decriminalisation, overdose prevention, drug testing, and more. We explored support for reform among communities closely impacted by drug policies, including people who use drugs, families and friends of people who use drugs, young people and students, and professionals. Collectively, we found overwhelming public support for evidence-based reforms that prioritise health, human rights, and social justice over criminalisation and enforcement.

# BeHeardNotHarmed Survey

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Our #BeHeardNotHarmed campaign is about young people having a voice in drug policy debates - it’s about being heard, not harmed. We want to push for policy reforms that protect and educate communities to make informed choices through access to meaningful education, and suitable support services designed and delivered by people who understand the realities of drug use.

Our #BeHeardNotHarmed survey captures what is important to the hundreds of young people who participated. The results of this survey have been analysed and detailed in reports by the SSDP Research Circle.

Families, professionals, and young people

Three national surveys exploring attitudes towards drug policy reforms

In 2021 and 2022, SSDP Australia, Harm Reduction Australia, and Family Drug Support Australia each conducted similar community/membership surveys exploring attitudes towards different policy reforms (see our 2022 Community Survey below). We analysed the findings across the three surveys to highlight similar perspectives and key differences across the three key populations. All three surveys, regardless of the variation in methodologies, showcase the expertise of families, professionals, and young people as communities who are uniquely impacted by drugs and alcohol in various ways. Their insider knowledges gained through lived and living experience hold weight and deserve to be listened to and heard by policymakers and governments.

2022 Community Survey

Hundreds of young people completed our Community Survey in 2022. Gathering so many youth perspectives on drug policy is something pretty unique and special. The SSDP Research Circle been carefully combing through the data and are proud to present these reports of the results.

Research Reports

Future Surveys

If you have an idea for something we should be asking our community about, email hello@ssdp.org.au.

We’re representing and empowering young people to bring change to drug policies.