Poll Finds Maryland Voters Likely to Support Alcohol and Drug Treatment

Active voters across the state of Maryland strongly support increased access to alcohol and drug treatment for those who need it, whether through private insurance coverage or through public funding, according to a poll commissioned by the Open Society Institute-Baltimore. A solid two-thirds of voters believe alcohol and drug treatment is effective, see treatment as a better policy option than prison, and support expanded access to treatment.

Put into a political context as this election year unfolds, Maryland voters are strongly saying that they are more likely to vote for candidates who support increased access to treatment. Six times as many voters say they are more likely to vote for such a candidate compared to those who would be less likely. The net effect is a shift of one-third of voters toward candidates who support expanded alcohol and drug treatment.

The poll was conducted by Steve Raabe, President of Opinion Works.