Pubdate: Mon, 25 Mar 2002
Source: Deseret News (UT)
Copyright: 2002 Deseret News Publishing Corp.
Contact:  http://www.desnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/124
Author: James Thalman

MOST UTAHNS CALL ADDICTION DISEASE

Utahns not only believe overwhelmingly that drug addiction is a disease, 
they think it's a public health problem, not a law enforcement problem, and 
should be given substantial amounts of public funds to deal with it.

Those are the key findings of what is likely the most comprehensive survey 
ever on drug abuse in Utah. Results released Monday from a January 
telephone survey, sponsored by The Edward G. Callister Foundation, show 
widespread concern about drug addiction and consistent support across the 
population for doing something about it.

The study showed the attitudes were shared by people in all political 
preferences, age groups, religious preferences, urban-rural areas, income 
levels and other demographic categories.

One of the most surprising results is that 64 percent agree that addictive 
disease "is a chronic disease, and like diabetes, it can be managed but not 
cured over a lifetime."

And contrary to the policies of most insurance companies, 74 percent of 
Utah residents believe treatment for alcohol and drug abuse should be 
covered by health insurance. However, 59 percent think that drug or alcohol 
misuse is definitely or probably a sufficient reason to be terminated from 
a job.

Ellen Callister, president of the foundation, said the survey shows 
interest in the problem is almost universal. "Unsolicited comments from 
respondents stretch to 66 typewritten pages. The public is anxious to find 
effective solutions."

The statewide survey, which has an error margin of 3 percent, was conducted 
by Dan Jones & Associates, who interviewed 1,006 Utahns between Dec. 26 and 
Jan. 4 during evening hours. Each interview lasted 20 to 30 minutes.

Jones said respondents were unusually interested in the subject. Fewer than 
1 percent of contacts terminated the interview before it was completed, 
Jones said, noting that the usual termination response is much higher than 
that, even on shorter surveys.

The Advocates for Improved Understanding of Addiction Disease, a volunteer 
committee of prominent Utahns interested in raising awareness and 
understanding about the nature of addictive disease, requested the survey.

Lou Callister, co-chair of the committee, said he was somewhat surprised, 
but mostly gratified that the general public believes the issue is 
important. "Most telling, is the public wants a solution," he said. "This 
information will go a long way to find that."

Pat Flemming, executive director of the state Office of Substance Abuse, 
said he isn't surprised. "Everywhere I go people tell me they realize 
addiction is a disease. This shows that the notion that we need to provide 
treatment is beginning to crystallize."
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MAP posted-by: Beth