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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:

"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.]