Florida Council for Safe Communities -- New Survey Calls for Legislature To Keep Strong Regs in Place for Alcohol and Drugs

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- After having released its agenda for 2015, the Florida Council for Safe Communities has officially begun to study attitudes of Floridians statewide toward issues of public safety and concern. In the last week, the Council surveyed self-identified conservative voters around the state as a means of taking their pulse after the election.

Not surprisingly, national issues still drive the conservative electorate's attitudes. While more than 60% felt that the state is on the right track, immigration, national debt, national security, and the economy all were clustered as the top issues.

As they were asked about some of Florida's specific issues, protecting our neighborhoods and children were of primary concern, and some of the libertarian attitudes that characterized more active conservative voters in the past two cycle seem to have diminished.

For instance, an overwhelming number of Republicans believe alcohol regulations are too weak or just about right.

80% of Tea Party conservatives, 85% of traditional conservatives, 86% of those who attend church weekly or more and 95% of social conservatives believe alcohol regulations are too weak or just about right.

More than 60% of each category are less likely to vote for a candidate who advocates for weakening or deregulating the laws controlling the use and production of alcohol in Florida. Only 13% would be more likely to vote for a candidate or public official who supports deregulation.

As we honed in on that issue in particular, the results were equally strong. Almost 50% of those who attend church weekly or more, 63% of social conservatives and 68% of Evangelicals think we need more regulation of drugs and alcohol in Florida while only 7% want fewer rules and regulations.

Clearly Republican primary voters, even those who support a more libertarian agenda, are opposed to weakening laws regulating alcohol in Florida. 

"We see this study as good news," said Chairman John Giotis. "Excessive alcohol consumption is a leading cause of drunk driving deaths, sexual assaults on college campuses, and a major contributor to domestic violence. These are all issues that our group is fighting as a means of making a safer Florida for all. Why would anyone want to make it easier to consume large amounts of alcohol or increase access to drugs?"

The Council will continue to review other issues of concern in subsequent months and also test attitudes among the state's self-identified liberals. The council's agenda encompasses alcohol and drug deregulation, human trafficking, bullying, domestic violence, campus safety, and general child safety in Florida.

ON THE WEB:  www.flcsc.org

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SOURCE Florida Council for Safe Communities

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http://www.flcsc.org