Context: Florida recently announced new addiction stabilization units—speciality emergency rooms for overdose victims—in up to a dozen counties. The concept started in Palm Beach County with a mission to provide medication-assisted treatment to stabilize patients in the hours after an overdose, and then offer a one-stop shop for ongoing follow-up care.
- Our Survey: In partnership with Data For Progress, Safer Cities conducted a national survey to learn whether the public supports or opposes the concept of Addiction Stabilization Units (methodology).
- First, the survey provided a brief definition of addiction stabilization units:
Addiction Stabilization Units are specialized care centers inside of a hospital, such as in an emergency room, that are staffed by psychiatrists, emergency room physicians, nurses, and social workers. These units provide comprehensive medical care to patients experiencing an overdose, including treatment to manage cravings and withdrawals, developing long-term plans, and connecting patients with treatment facilities and social services such as housing.
- And then the survey asked: Would you support or oppose creating an Addiction Stabilization Unit where you live?
- Results: 82% of voters, including sizable majorities of Republicans and Democrats, support the creation of Addiction Stabilization Units where they live.
