Attitudes to a proposal for controlled availability of heroin in Australia: is it time for a trial?

As part of a wide-ranging investigation of the feasibility of providing heroin to dependent users, the views of key interest groups were sought. Sixty-six percent of Canberra residents and 31%, 71% and 76% of samples of police, service providers and drug users/ex-users, respectively, supported the notion of a trial of controlled heroin provision. Although the Canberra community was more supportive of a trial than the general public in Sydney or Queanbeyan, there was more support for controlled availability in all three communities than had been found in previous surveys for decriminalisation or legalisation. This suggests that options where strict social control on drug use is maintained are viewed more favourably by the general public than options where this control is perceived to be minimal or absent. These results are discussed in light of the groups' views of and experiences with illicit drug use.