More Than Half of Americans View Addiction as Disease: Survey

A new survey finds 53 percent of Americans view addiction as a disease, the Associated Press reports. Fewer than 20 percent are willing to closely associate with someone with a drug addiction, according to the survey.

The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey found more than 10 percent of Americans say they have had a relative or close friend die from an opioid overdose. The survey found a majority of Americans don’t think their local community is doing enough to address the problem, while two-thirds said decision-makers should make treatment programs more affordable and accessible.

Forty-three percent of those surveyed said the use of prescription pain drugs is a serious problem in their community, up from 33 percent two years ago. About 37 percent say heroin is a serious concern locally, up from 32 percent in 2016.