Public Attitudes Towards Heroin Addictions: Spatial Consequences for Treatment Options and Access
File(s)
Date
2017-12-17Author
Johnson, Michelle
Hartnett, Caitin
Ostermeier, Anna
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Over the past 20 years, heroin has become one of the most deadly street drugs available
in the United States. This national narrative is reflected in Madison, where, increasingly, city
agencies are allocating resources towards combating this epidemic. The purpose of our research
was to determine what the attitudes of Madison residents are in regards to heroin addiction, and
how these attitudes impact treatment options and access. We surveyed members of the Madison
community using social media networks and Madison Neighborhood Association e-mails,
receiving over 500 responses from the majority of Madison’s ZIP codes. Additionally, to gain an
understanding of the existing treatment landscape in Madison, we interviewed four experts in the
field. From survey data, we found respondents support funding expansion for both behavioral
and medical treatment, with the majority of respondents viewing heroin addiction from a public
health perspective rather than a punitive one. These attitudes support what each interviewee
asserted is the best approach to treatment: long term combined medical and behavioral treatment.
Furthermore, some stigma exists among respondents in terms of their perceptions of individuals
with heroin addictions being dangerous and, to a lesser extent, personally culpable for their
addiction. Both statistical and spatial analysis of the survey data reveals the presence of the
socio-spatial stigmatization phenomenon, an extension of the NIMBY concept. Though stigma
towards individuals with heroin addiction persists, this stigma does not dramatically impact
current treatment programs and clinics. Rather, Madison residents are generally receptive and
supportive of public health approaches to heroin treatment.
Subject
Heroin
Addiction
Treatment
Opioid Epidemic
Public health
Madison, Wisconsin
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/78992Description
Includes Figures, Appendices, Timeline, Charts, Maps and Bibliography.