The findings conflict with public opinion about approaches to the drug problem. Other popular approaches to drug addiction on the list are anti-drug education, more police, and mandatory drug testing. The JAMA survey found that Americans believe drug abusers are predominantly poor, uneducated and minorities. In fact, the majority are white, from well-educated families and initially employed. Dispelling those myths is vital to obtaining public commitment for drug treatment, said Richard Corlin, MD, a Los Angeles medical professor whose son was once a cocaine addict.
People think it is someone else's problem.
Dr. Lewis agrees that the stereotypes about drug addicts are not true, and are often part of the problem.