Croatians Back Tough Drug Laws, EU Survey Finds

Croatians show some of the strongest support in the European Union for keeping recreational cocaine and ecstasy illegal, according to the first pan-European survey of public attitudes towards drugs. The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) polled more than 95,000 people across 36 countries between 24 June and 16 July this year, with the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) publishing the national results.

The survey found that 72 percent of Croatian respondents support a ban on recreational cocaine use and 71 percent support a ban on ecstasy (MDMA). That is 12 percentage points above the EU average for both drugs. Support for prohibition is slightly lower in neighbouring Slovenia, at 65 percent for cocaine and 62 percent for ecstasy, and in Germany at 62 and 61 percent respectively.

Attitudes to cannabis are more divided. In Croatia, 40 percent of respondents support a ban on recreational use, while 38 percent favour legal regulation and 14 percent think it should be available without restrictions. Across the EU, 38 percent back a ban and 32 percent back regulation.

More than six in ten people in Croatia (65 percent) see drug use as a serious problem in their local area, compared with the EU average of 60 percent. Croatian respondents are particularly worried about children and young people being drawn into the drug trade: 39 percent named this as one of the biggest security concerns, well above the EU average of 30 percent.

The survey also found broad support for treatment over punishment. Across the EU, 45 percent of respondents think people who use drugs and come into contact with the justice system should be offered treatment and support, while nearly a third favour criminal conviction or imprisonment. To reduce drug-related problems, 45 percent support stronger police action and 43 percent think it is important to help people with addiction reintegrate into work and daily life.

The EUDA survey is the first of its kind on citizens’ views of drugs and drug policy. It was carried out in cooperation with the European Commission using online and telephone interviews with people aged 15 and over. In Croatia, 3,019 people took part.