Kaiser Health Tracking Poll

As the problem of prescription painkiller abuse has captured greater attention from policymakers and the media, the November Kaiser Health Tracking Poll explores the public’s connection to and knowledge of the issue, as well as their views of how to address it. A surprising 56 percent of the public say they have some personal connection to the issue – either because they say they know someone who has taken a prescription painkiller that wasn’t prescribed to them, know someone who has been addicted, or know someone who has died from a prescription painkiller overdose. More of the public says it’s easy for people to get access to painkillers not prescribed to them than say it is easy for people who medically need them to access them (77 percent vs.58 percent). Combatting the problem of opioid abuse ranks among several other priorities the public has for their state officials, with 50 percent saying it should be a top priority, lower than the shares who say other issues such as improving public education (76 percent) or attracting and retaining business and jobs (64 percent) are top priorities, but similar to the shares who place a top priority on reforming the criminal justice system (50 percent) and improving infrastructure (46 percent). The public is largely supportive  of ‘Good Samaritan’ laws that some states have adopted that allow people to call for emergency medical help for a drug overdose for themselves or others without fear of being prosecuted (63 percent). However, when it comes to views on access to Naloxone, a medication that can reverse the effects of a drug overdose, most of the public believes that access should be restricted to those with a prescription (62 percent). Large majorities say a number of efforts would be effective in reducing painkiller abuse, including treatment programs (85 percent), monitoring doctors’ prescribing habits (82 percent), public education programs (80 percent), training doctors (79 percent), and encouraging people to appropriately dispose of leftover medication (69 percent).