LOUDONVILLE – A new Siena Poll illustrates the prevalence of opiod prescriptions by New York State doctors.
In a two-year period, 24 percent of New Yorkers have been prescribed opioids for pain by a doctor, according to Part III of a Siena College (SCRI) poll.
The survey is part of a collaborative effort by Prescription for Progress: United Against Opioid Addiction, a newly formed coalition of leaders in healthcare, media, law enforcement, education and business in New York’s Capital Region committed to raising awareness and taking positive steps to address the crisis.
Of those that have been prescribed opioids for pain over the last two years, 62 percent did not take the entire prescription and among those, 40 percent did not dispose of the remaining pills.
Eighteen percent of New Yorkers say that they, a family member or a close friend has pursued treatment for opioid abuse.
Eleven percent say that it was very easy to access treatment but 26 percent say it was either not very or not at all easy.
Nearly half (48%) have heard that insurance providers refusing to cover the cost of adequate treatment is a barrier to people in their area receiving treatment.
Both treatment programs not working with individuals for a long enough period and poor follow-up after a patient completes a program are cited by 41%. Thirty-one percent say insufficient space in treatment facilities is a barrier to recovery.
