Poll Shows Americans Want More Drug Treatment

TREATMENT November 1994

A new poll finds that the majority of Americans see substance abuse as a social, not a law enforcement problem ("Public Prefers Cure Over Arrest In Dealing With Substance Addiction," National Report on Substance Abuse, Buraff Publications, Oct. 27, 1994, p. 4). The poll, conducted in July by Louis Harris and Associates for the National Treatment Consortium, Inc. (NTC), finds that:

• 88 percent say that drug and alcohol addiction calls for medical treatment.
  
  
• Most think that treatment is effective (6% "extremely effective," 21% "effective," and 62% "somewhat effective").
  
  
• 63 percent think the federal government should spend more money on treatment.
  
  
• 52 percent see alcohol addiction as a social problem.
  
  
• 55 percent think of drug abuse as a social problem.
  
  
• 87 percent think that at least some of the costs of treatment should be included in health care benefits.
  
  
• 87 percent responded that improving the addict's quality of life is one of the most important goals of treatment, a higher priority than reducing crime and violence.
  
  
• Two-thirds approve of additional sales taxes for alcohol and cigarettes to fund increased treatment of addicts.

"Congressmen and other legislators who look to law enforcement as a solution to our nation's alcohol and drug problem are out of touch with the public's needs and demands," said Jeffrey Kramer, executive vice president of NTC.

NTC, a member organization that includes employers, managed care providers, and addiction and mental health organizations, will release the poll as part of a White Paper early next year. A task force coordinated by the NTC of over 100 health care professionals is currently studying the future of addiction treatment.

[For more information about this poll or the NTC, contact Jeffrey Kramer at the National Treatment Consortium, 444 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20001, 202-434-4780.]