OPIOIDS IN THE GARDEN STATE Ashley Koning, PhD Assistant Research Professor, Director Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling Eagleton Institute of Politics Rutgers University-New Brunswick Itzhak Yanovitzky, PhD Associate Professor of Communication School of Communication and Information Rutgers University-New Brunswick Ashley Koning, PhD Director, Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling February 21, 2017 June 22, 2018 akoning@rutgers.edu
The Eagleton Institute of Politics, founded in 1956, is well known across and beyond New Jersey as a place for celebrating politics and strengthening democracy. Eagleton explores state and national politics through research, education, and public service, linking the study of politics with its day-to-day practice and focusing attention on how the American political system works, how it changes, and how it might work better. Eagleton prides itself on a long history of nonpartisan research, bi-partisan programming, and empowering individuals on both sides of the aisle to run for office.
The Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling (ECPIP) The Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling (ECPIP), home of the Rutgers-Eagleton Poll, was established in 1971. Now celebrating its 47 th anniversary and publication of over 200 public opinion polls on the state of New Jersey, ECPIP is one of the first and longest continuous university-based state survey research centers in the United States. Our mission is to provide scientifically sound, non-partisan information about public opinion. ECPIP conducts research for all levels of government and nonprofit organizations with a public interest mission, as well as college and university-based researchers and staff. ECPIP makes it a priority to design opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to learn how to read, analyze, design, and administer polls. We pride ourselves on integrity, quality, and objectivity.
Rutgers-Eagleton Poll: April 26 May 4, 2018 704 New Jersey adults 18+ Probability (random) sample; Random Digit Dial (RDD) 56% cell phone, 44% landline Unwght Wght M 52% 49% Data weighted to gender, age, education, race/ethnicity, region, and phone use W 48% 51% 50% (-) -- (+) 47% -- 53% Margin of Error = +/- 3 percentage points
Nearly half say they or a family member have been prescribed opioids in the past year 83% filled the prescription 79% took the pain medication as directed 53% personally know someone who has abused pain meds
Prescriptions mostly due to surgery, chronic pain
A number of those prescribed do not recall any explanation of alternative treatments, risks, and dangers
Notable differences in recall by race/ethnicity
Virtually all believe opioid addiction is a serious problem in NJ 81% of 50-64 year olds 77% of 35-49 year olds Seriousness rises with Income (78% $150K+) 80% of parents (49% very serious) 78% of shore residents (58% very serious) 84% of those who know someone who abused opioids
New Jerseyans paying attention, mostly through the news
Residents know more about causes than solutions and actions being taken 21% agree there is too much info about opioid addiction 55% agree that the information out there seems repetitive 22% agree that the info available is too complicated
Testing knowledge: false stigmas of selfdiscipline and long-term use
Doctors and pharmaceutical companies receive most blame White residents (31%) 50-64 year olds (34%) $100K-150K (40%) $150K+ (33%)
Limiting prescriptions and education seen as best solutions White residents (37%) 35-49 year olds (38%) 50-64 year olds (36%) $100K-150K (42%) $150K+ (40%)
Strong support for limitations and requirements
Eagleton Institute of Politics Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 191 Ryders Lane New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901 848.932.8940 poll@eagleton.rutgers.edu Eagletonpoll.rutgers.edu @EagletonPoll @AshleyAKoning