Attitude of the Norwegian population to drug policy and drug-offences.

Abstract

A national survey on people's conceptions of various intoxicants and their attitudes towards such substances shows a high degree of support in Norway for the current very restrictive drug policy. Only 6% were in favour of a more liberal practice with regard to use of cannabis. The attitudes had changed little from 1968, when a similar study was carried out. Even a majority of those who reported having used cannabis themselves said that all use should be prohibited. A comparison of the crime of possessing quite a small quantity of cannabis with other commonplace violations of the law showed that the drug offence was considered a serious crime. Although the penalties for drug offences have been raised dramatically several times since the end of the 1960s, a majority still said that the punishment prescribed by the Norwegian law for being involved with drugs is too mild.