Community survey aims to reduce addiction stigma
The survey will help measure addiction knowledge, support for public health responses to addiction and perceptions around addiction in the community.
The Tuscarawas County Health Department has partnered with Addiction Policy Forum to launch a community survey, as part of a nationwide Anti-Stigma Initiative, to gather a better understanding of the attitudes and knowledge people have of addiction and to help communities identify where addiction literacy and targeted interventions need to be implemented.
“According to the Addiction Policy Forum, addiction is one of the most stigmatized health conditions, and we invite county residents to take the online survey to help us learn how we can reduce stigma in our area,” said Lakyn Craig, public health educator with the Tuscarawas County Health Department. “Individuals with substance-use disorder can be subjected to negative attitudes and behaviors, known as stigma. Stigma can prevent people from reaching out for help and isolate families that are affected by addiction for fear of being judged by others.”
The survey is open to the general public, and all responses will be anonymous. The average person may take about 15 minutes to answer survey questions. To complete the survey, visit https://bit.ly/3FSXQN8.
Addiction Policy Forum and researchers at the University of Delaware developed the online survey that measures substance-use disorder stigma, addiction literacy/knowledge, and support of policies and local services.
The goals of Addiction Policy Forum’s Anti-Stigma Initiative include the following: reduce addiction stigma including stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination intent; increase knowledge about addiction in their communities; improve helping behaviors toward individuals with a substance-use disorder; and identify levels of addiction stigma in a community to establish a baseline indicator.
The survey will help measure addiction knowledge, support for public health responses to addiction and perceptions around addiction in the community. In doing so, results can help inform strategies to better educate, collaborate and advocate needed resources and strategies to curb the addiction crisis across the community and state.
For more information about the survey project, email healthed@tchdnow.org or call 330-343-5555 ext. 1780.