Public Support for State Laws Requiring Addiction Programs to Offer FDA-Approved Medications for Opioid Use Disorder.

OBJECTIVE

The study reported here aimed to examine public attitudes regarding state licensure laws requiring addiction treatment programs to offer Food and Drug Administration-approved medications for opioid use disorder.

METHODS

A national survey with a probability-based national sample of 1,552 adults was fielded April 7-28, 2025, by using a probability-based web panel designed to be representative of the U.S. population.

RESULTS

Seventy-four percent of respondents supported licensure laws requiring addiction treatment programs to offer medications for opioid use disorder. No differences were detected by race or personal experience with addiction or overdose. Although political conservatives were less likely than moderates or liberals to support licensure laws, support was >66% across the ideological spectrum. Support was high even among respondents reporting high social stigma toward or discriminatory beliefs about people with opioid addiction.

CONCLUSIONS

Robust public support suggests that licensure policies supporting addiction treatment programs could be a promising approach for states to reduce overdose deaths.