Most Americans See the Opioid Overdose Crisis as a Serious Problem That Needs Urgent Action

Most Americans now agree on one thing with striking clarity: the opioid overdose crisis in the United States is a very serious national problem that demands immediate attention. A new national survey conducted by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine shows overwhelming concern across political lines, alongside shifting views about who should be held responsible for addressing the crisis and how the country should move forward.

According to the survey, about 88% of U.S. adults believe opioid overdose deaths represent a very serious issue. What stands out is that this level of concern remains consistently high among conservatives, moderates, and liberals alike. While Americans may disagree on many policy questions, the scale and urgency of opioid-related deaths appear to be one area of rare consensus.

A National Survey With Broad Representation

The findings come from a 2025 national web-based survey of 1,552 adults, led by researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine and the Cornell Health Policy Center. The study was designed to examine how Americans perceive opioid overdose deaths and how opinions vary by political ideology.

The sample was demographically representative of the U.S. population of Black adults and non-Hispanic white adults, helping ensure the results reflect broader national attitudes rather than a narrow group of respondents. The research was later published on January 16 in JAMA Network Open, a well-respected peer-reviewed medical journal.

Shifting Views on Responsibility for the Crisis

One of the most notable findings involves changing attitudes about who is responsible for reducing opioid overdose deaths. Historically, Americans—especially conservatives—have often emphasized personal responsibility, viewing people who use opioids as primarily accountable for addiction and overdose outcomes.

This new study, however, suggests a meaningful shift. Across the political spectrum, pharmaceutical companies are increasingly being seen as major contributors to the crisis, alongside individuals who use opioids. This change may be influenced by years of high-profile lawsuits and media coverage documenting how some drug manufacturers aggressively marketed opioid medications while downplaying addiction risks.

Political differences still remain. Conservatives and moderates are more likely to say that people who use opioids should bear responsibility for reducing overdose deaths. Liberals, on the other hand, are more likely to place responsibility on pharmaceutical companies and to support holding them accountable for the consequences of opioid distribution and marketing practices.

Even so, the growing acknowledgment of corporate responsibility marks an important evolution in public opinion and could shape future policy debates.

Opioid Overdose Deaths Are Declining—but the Crisis Isn’t Over

The survey comes at a moment when opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. have shown a notable decline. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, overdose deaths fell by nearly 27%, dropping from 83,140 deaths in 2023 to 54,743 deaths in 2024.

While this decrease is significant and encouraging, researchers caution against interpreting it as the end of the crisis. Tens of thousands of lives are still being lost each year, and progress remains uneven across states and communities. Public concern remains high precisely because the human and social costs of opioid misuse continue to affect families nationwide.

Stigma Around Addiction Remains Strong

Despite widespread agreement that opioid overdose is a serious issue, the survey reveals persistent social stigma toward people with opioid use disorder. About 38% of respondents said they would be unwilling to have a person with opioid addiction as a neighbor. Even more striking, 58% said they would be unwilling to have someone with opioid addiction marry into their family.

These attitudes were not evenly distributed. Conservatives expressed significantly higher levels of social distancing compared to moderates and liberals. Such stigma matters because previous research has shown that negative perceptions of addiction can discourage support for evidence-based treatment, harm-reduction programs, and policies aimed at saving lives rather than punishing individuals.

Stigma can also make people struggling with addiction less likely to seek help, further deepening the crisis.

Why Public Opinion Matters for Drug Policy

Public attitudes play a powerful role in shaping drug policy. When Americans believe individuals alone are responsible for addiction, they are often more supportive of punitive approaches. When responsibility is shared with corporations and systems, support tends to grow for treatment-based and preventive solutions.

The study suggests that policies such as lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies and the use of settlement funds to expand addiction treatment and overdose prevention programs may gain broader acceptance. These funds are already being directed in some states toward treatment services, recovery programs, and naloxone distribution.

Researchers also note that while concern about overdose is widespread, disagreements about responsibility and stigma may influence which strategies gain political momentum.

A Closer Look at Medication-Based Treatment

Another key area the research team is exploring involves public support for medications for opioid use disorder, often referred to as MOUD. These medications—such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone—are widely recognized as the most effective treatments for reducing overdose risk and supporting long-term recovery.

Historically, many substance use treatment programs in the U.S. have followed an abstinence-only approach, sometimes excluding medication-based care. Newer policy proposals aim to require state-licensed treatment programs to offer these medications as a condition of licensing.

The researchers are now examining whether public opinion is shifting in favor of these evidence-based treatments, which could significantly improve outcomes for people with opioid use disorder.

Understanding the Bigger Picture of the Opioid Epidemic

The U.S. opioid epidemic has unfolded over several decades, beginning with prescription painkillers and later expanding to heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. While overdose death rates have fluctuated, the crisis has consistently highlighted gaps in pain management, addiction treatment, mental health services, and regulatory oversight.

What makes this new study particularly important is that it captures a moment when public awareness appears higher and responsibility is being viewed in a more complex way. Recognizing the role of pharmaceutical companies, health systems, and policy decisions does not eliminate personal responsibility—but it does open the door to broader, more effective solutions.

What the Findings Suggest Going Forward

The results point to a future where the opioid overdose crisis is likely to remain on the policy agenda, regardless of political leadership. However, disagreements over stigma, accountability, and the role of treatment versus punishment will continue to shape how solutions are implemented.

With overdose deaths declining but still alarmingly high, the challenge now is turning public concern into sustained, evidence-based action. Reducing stigma, expanding access to effective treatment, and responsibly using settlement funds may all play a role in the next phase of the country’s response.

As the study makes clear, Americans largely agree that the problem is serious. The next question is how that agreement translates into policies that save lives.

Research paper:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2844036