Public preferences for opioid reform in a post-COVID era: Consensus and divides

Abstract

As opioid-related deaths have increased nationally, so too has policy attention toward addressing the problem. However, there are questions concerning public perceptions of the latest proposals to address opioid misuse and more generally, current regulatory practices. To what extent do Americans support these new reforms: safe consumption sites, greater availability of Narcan, and expanding addiction treatment services? Relatedly, how does the public view the present level of oversight toward the pharmaceutical industry? What factors—concern about drug addiction and associated problems, direct experiences with opioids, trust in the pharmaceutical industry, and personal health indicators—affect policy preferences and views of current regulation efforts? Drawing on a 2023 nationally representative survey, this study examines these research questions. Anxiety about crime-related social disorder, direct experiences with opioid addiction, the extent of confidence in the drug industry, and other factors are tied to policy views among the public. Implications of these findings are discussed.