5960 Vandervoort Drive, Suite 110
Lincoln, NE 68516
ACADIA HOSPITAL
EASTERN MAINE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS
Bangor, Maine
Narrative Report of the
2006 Consumer Market Assessment
On Opiate Abuse
October, 2006
Prepared by
Dennis Nutter, President
Inta Didrichsons, Vice President
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION
PAGE
I.
INTRODUCTION AND SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS .........................1
II.
CONSUMER AWARENESS OF OPIATES.............................................9
III.
EXPERIENCE WITH OPIATE ADDICTS ..............................................14
IV.
GENERAL PERCEPTIONS REGARDING OPIATE USERS
AND SCOPE OF PROBLEM .................................................................20
V.
RECALL OF INFORMATION ON OPIATES .........................................28
APPENDIX:
SURVEY INSTRUMENT
ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
1
SECTION I
INTRODUCTION
AND SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
OCTOBER, 2006
ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
2
Introduction
Acadia Hospital and Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems of Bangor, Maine,
commissioned Sigma Group, L.L.C. of Lincoln, Nebraska to conduct a market
assessment of consumers' perceptions of various issues related to opiate abuse.
The research objectives of the study included the following:
1.
To measure the level of awareness of opiates and opiate abuse in
Eastern Maine;
2.
To document residents' level of knowledge of what substances are
opiates;
3.
To determine if residents of Eastern Maine have direct experience with
individuals who may have had an opiate abuse problem;
4.
To determine respondents' perceptions of the impact of the opiate
abuse on the abuser, and to determine the current status of the addict's
abuse of opiates;
5.
To identify what age groups respondents think are most susceptible to
becoming addicted to opiates;
6.
To determine which of four substance abuse problems are seen to be
most serious, and how opiate abuse is perceived relative to abuse of
alcohol and meth;
7.
To document the level of agreement or disagreement with a series of
nine attitudinal statements about opiate abuse, among residents of
Eastern Maine;
8.
To measure the level of recall of a news story or other information
regarding opiate abuse, and where such messages were seen or heard.
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
OCTOBER, 2006
ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
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Methodology
In order to meet these objectives, a random sample of 404 respondents,
across the Bangor HSA served by Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems and its
various facilities, was proportionately selected and interviewed by telephone from
September 21st to September 26th of 2006.
When the head of household was not available during the first telephone
contact, as many as five additional callbacks were made in order to complete the
interview. This callback procedure is a quality control mechanism for obtaining a
high response rate among area "householders," which ensures a representative
random sample. The interviewers involved in the project were experienced and
professionally trained Sigma Group interviewers. All fieldwork was validated by
supervisory "listen-ins," observation, and callbacks. Completed questionnaires
were edited and coded independently to ensure the accuracy of the data
collected during the interviews.
Sample Design
The geographic areas included in the study included 32 zip codes within the
Bangor HSA. The zip codes were grouped into six Bangor sub-areas, as shown
below.
Sampling was completed proportionally, by zip code, according to the
number of households within each zip and sub-area.
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DISTRIBUTION OF STUDY SAMPLE
BY BANGOR HSA SUB-AREA
# of
% of
Completed
households households Surveys
26,375
50%
205
Sub-area
Bangor/Central
04401 Bangor
04402 Bangor
04412 Brewer
04444 Hampden/Newburgh
04474 Orrington
Near North
04411 Bradley
04461 Milford
04468 Old Town
04473 Orono
04489 Stillwater
North
04410 Bradford
04418 Greenbush/Cardville
04422 Charleston
04427 Corinth
04449 Hudson
04453 Lagrange
04467 Olamon
East
04408 Aurora
04428 Eddington
04429 Holden
South
04416 Bucksport
04438 Frankfort
04472 Orland
04496 Winterport
04932 Dixmont
04972 Sandy Point
04981 Stockton Springs
West
04419 Carmel
04434 Etna
04450 Kenduskeag
04456 Levant
04488 Stetson
Total
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
% of
Surveys
51%
8,646
17
65
16
3,766
7
25
6
3,086
6
25
6
6,808
13
56
14
3,603
7
28
7
52,284
100
404
100
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ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
5
Survey Instrument
Survey items for the study were mutually agreed upon by representatives of
Sigma Group and Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems. EMHS had responsibility
for identifying the topical question areas desired, while Sigma Group had
responsibility for writing items that were technically correct and without bias. Most
of the survey items employed had been used and tested in previous studies
conducted by Sigma Group on behalf of other healthcare organizations.
average survey length was 6.7 minutes.
The
A copy of the survey instrument is
provided in the Appendix of this report.
Stability of Results
The maximum expected statistical range of error for a sample of 404 is
±4.9%. Stated more simply, if 100 different samples of 404 persons each were
randomly chosen from the given population, 95 times out of 100 the total results
obtained would vary no more than ±4.9 percentage points from the results that
would be obtained if the entire population were surveyed. As the sample size
decreases, the expected error range increases; for example, the expected error
range for the respondents living in the Central portion of the Bangor HSA (n=205)
would be ±6.8%. The error ranges for various response distribution patterns, at the
95% level of confidence, are shown in the following table.
EXPECTED ERROR RANGE FOR VARIOUS MARKET SAMPLES*
Results About:
Error Range:
n=404
n=205
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
±2.9
±4.1
±3.9
±5.5
±4.5
±6.3
±4.8
±6.7
±4.9
±6.8
±4.8
±6.7
±4.5
±6.3
±3.9
±5.5
±2.9
±4.1
* At the 95% level of confidence
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ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
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In other words, if 30% of all 100 respondents in the total area said they knew
someone who was addicted to opiates, 95 times out of 100 in similar studies, the
results to that same item should be between 25.5% and 34.5%, or within ±4.5% of
the result that would be obtained if every area household were surveyed.
Reports Prepared
Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems has been provided, under separate
cover, a complete set of tabular results, including frequencies and percentages by
demographic classification. These results will serve as reference material and may
be consulted for overall planning purposes. The written analysis prepared and
presented herein is based upon both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses
of the data and focuses on what Sigma Group feels are the most meaningful
findings of the study.
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
OCTOBER, 2006
ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
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Sample Characteristics
Table 1 presents the demographic information about respondents participating in
the study.
TABLE 1
SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS
Characteristics
Gender
Male
Female
Bangor
HSA
Total
(n=404)
Central
(n=205)
Near
North
(n=65)
North
(n=25)
East
(n=25)
South
(n=56)
West
(n=28)
12%
88
32%
68
25%
75
2%
7
11
41
25
14
52.3
4%
11
14
21
29
18
4
52.9
35%
65
40%
60
29%
71
56%
44
2%
11
15
25
23
15
10
54.0
2%
10
17
22
21
14
14
54.7
2%
15
12
15
31
15
9
54.2
4%
8
28
20
8
24
8
52.4
Children < 13 yrs
Yes
21%
20%
20%
16%
28%
18%
32%
Income
Less than $15,000
$15,000-$24,999
$25,000-$34,999
$35,000-$44,999
$45,000-$54,999
$55,000-$74,999
$75,000 or more
Don't know/Refused
11%
18
12
10
8
9
21
11
11%
14
12
7
8
9
25
14
12%
20
11
11
8
14
12
12
12%
24
8
16
16
8
8
8
12%
12
12
16
8
4
32
4
7%
20
18
16
9
9
16
5
11%
36
7
7
7
4
18
11
Age
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65-74
75+
Average Age
Mean
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
12
8
36
24
12
8
54.0
$44,900 $48,100 $41,100 $37,800 $49,400 $42,600 $38,400
OCTOBER, 2006
ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
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!
Nearly two out of three survey respondents were female (65%), with a wide
variance in the proportion of the respondents who were female, across the
six sub-areas (44% to 88%).
!
The average age of respondents was 54 years of age. Across the six
market areas, respondents in the Central area were the oldest, on average
(54.7), while South area respondents were the youngest (52.3). A seventh
(South, 14%) to a third (North, 32%) were over the age of 65.
!
Only one household in five reported having children under the age of 13
(21%). The incidence of having children was lowest among those in the
North (16%) and the South (18%), and highest among those in the West
(32%).
!
The average annual income of respondents was nearly $45,000 ($44,900),
with substantial variance across the six areas ($37,800 to $49,400). The
average reported income was lowest in the North area ($37,800), with a third
of respondents (36%) reporting household incomes of under $25,000,
compared to only a quarter of those in the East (24%) reporting those lower
income levels. Across all six market areas, between a sixth (16% in the
North) and more than a third (36% in the East) of respondents in each area
reported that they earned more than $55,000.
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
OCTOBER, 2006
ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
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SECTION II
CONSUMER AWARENESS OF OPIATES
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
OCTOBER, 2006
ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
10
"When you hear someone mention the word "opiates," what do
you think of or what first comes to your mind?"
UNAIDED RESPONSE TO WORD "OPIATES"
Illegal/illegal drugs
20%
Drug users/addicts
10%
Drugs (non-spec)
10%
Opium
9%
Heroin
6%
Prescription
drugs/OTC
5%
Narcotics
3%
Pain killers
3%
Oxycontin
3%
2%
Sedatives/downers
1%
Poppy/plant
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
Figure 1
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
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TABLE 2
UNAIDED RESPONSE TO WORD "OPIATES"
(Top Responses Are Presented)
Illegal/illegal drugs
Drug users/abusers/
addicts
Drugs (non-spec)
Opium
Heroin
Prescription drugs/overthe-counter/medicine
Narcotics
Pain-killers
Oxycontin
Sedatives/downers/
tranquilizers/anesthesia
Poppy/flower/plant
Foreign countries-where
they grow it
Vicodin
Don't know/nothing
Total
Bangor
HSA
18-34
(n=404) (n=51)
20%
16%
Respondent Age
35-44 45-54 55-64
(n=61) (n=99) (n=94)
18%
27%
16%
Known an
Opiate User
65+
Yes
No
(n=99) (n=132) (n=272)
19%
18%
21%
10
10
9
6
10
8
8
10
15
13
3
3
11
8
10
8
12
12
7
7
5
9
14
4
14
8
10
9
8
11
9
5
5
3
3
3
6
6
6
6
8
5
2
2
2
3
3
5
6
2
4
2
6
2
1
-
8
4
3
6
4
3
3
1
2
1
2
-
1
4
2
-
4
1
2
-
2
2
1
-
-
2
3
2
-
-
2
-
2
2
-
22
24
20
15
27
26
14
26
Note: the top responses in each group are highlighted
!
One in five respondents said that they first think of illegal drugs or that
opiates are illegal (20%), with the phrases "drug users" or "addicts" (10%) or
just the word "drugs" (10%) each being named by half that many
respondents.
!
Other respondents named specific opiates, such as opium (9%), heroin
(6%), prescription drugs (5%), etc.
!
Only one in five said that they didn't know or that nothing came to mind when
hearing the word "opiates" (22%).
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"Which of the following do you think can be classified as
opiates? Is ...(substance)?"
• Marijuana
• Heroin
• Ibuprofen
• Oxycontin
• Vicodin
• Methadone
SUBSTANCES PERCEIVED TO BE CLASSIFIED AS OPIATES
(% Yes)
Heroin
76%
Oxycontin
62%
Methadone
52%
Vicodin
39%
Marijuana
34%
Ibuprofen
5%
No/Don't know to
all
16%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Figure 2
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
OCTOBER, 2006
ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
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TABLE 3
SUBSTANCES PERCEIVED TO BE CLASSIFIED AS "OPIATES"
(% Yes)
Total
Bangor
HSA
18-34
(n=404) (n=51)
Respondent Age
35-44 45-54 55-64
(n=61) (n=99) (n=94)
Known an
Opiate User
65+
Yes
No
(n=99) (n=132) (n=272)
Heroin
Oxycontin
Methadone
Vicodin
Marijuana
Ibuprofen
76%
62
52
39
34
5
76%
67
47
41
22
2
77%
67
64
48
26
7
79%
62
55
41
27
5
76%
61
50
41
40
2
73%
60
45
28
44
8
No/Don't know to all
16
12
13
14
17
19
85%
76
64
50
33
5
8
72%
56
46
34
34
5
19
!
Three-fourths of respondents (76%) named heroin as an opiate. Two-thirds
(62%) would classify oxycontin as an opiate, while half (52%) labeled
methadone as an opiate. Nearly two-fifths correctly named vicodin as an
opiate (39%).
!
One in three consumers (34%) incorrectly labeled marijuana as an opiate.
Few (5%) labeled ibuprofen as an opiate.
!
One in six consumers (16%) did not label any of the six substances as
opiates: they responded "no" or "don't know" to each of the six.
!
There were slight variations, by age, in the proportions that associated each
substance with being an opiate. Those over 55 years of age (40% to 44%)
were more prone to identify marijuana as an opiate than were those under
55 (22% to 27%).
!
Those who had known an opiate user were more likely to identify the four
opiates correctly (85%; 76%; 64%; and 50%), but were no less likely to
incorrectly identify ibuprofen (5% vs. 5%) or marijuana (33% vs. 34%) as
opiates.
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
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ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
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SECTION III
EXPERIENCE WITH OPIATE ADDICTS
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
OCTOBER, 2006
ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
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"We are studying people's level of familiarity with, and
knowledge about, opiates. Opiates, such as prescription drugs
oxycontin and morphine, are also known as narcotics. Have you
ever known anyone that you are pretty sure was addicted to
opiates?"
PROPORTION WHO HAVE KNOWN AN OPIATE ADDICT
(% Yes)
33%
Total (n=404)
31%
Central (n=205)
Near North (n=65)
32%
48%
North (n=25)
East (n=25)
32%
South (n=56)
32%
36%
West (n=28)
Male (n=143)
37%
30%
Female (n=261)
43%
18-34 (n=51)
35-44 (n=61)
44%
45-54 (n=99)
32%
55-64 (n=94)
32%
21%
65+ (n=99)
34%
Income <$35K (n=164)
Income $35K<$75K (n=111)
35%
36%
Income $75K+ (n=83)
42%
Children: Yes (n=83)
Children: No (n=321)
30%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Figure 3
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
OCTOBER, 2006
ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
16
!
One in three respondents said that they had known someone who was
addicted to opiates (33%). Half of those in the North area (48%) knew an
opiate addict, while there was virtually no variance in the other five areas
(31%-36%).
!
Men (37%) were somewhat more likely than women (30%) to have known an
addict.
!
The prevalence of knowing an addict declined, by age of the respondent,
with two-fifths of those under age 45 (43%-44%) having known an addict,
and half that proportion of the over 65 age group (21%) reporting that they
knew an opiate addict.
!
No differences were observed by income category (34%-36%).
!
Households with children under age 13 were more likely to have known an
addict (42%) than were those respondents in households with no children
(30%), most likely a function of the respondents' age.
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Those who reported having known an opiate addict were asked:
"At the time the person was addicted to opiates, would you say
that their ability to function in society and attend school or
perform the duties of a job was severely affected, moderately
affected, or not really affected that much by their use of
opiates?"
PERCEIVED IMPACT ON ABILITY TO FUNCTION/PERFORM DUTIES
(n=132)
61%
Severely Affected
Moderately
Affected
28%
Not really
affected
8%
3%
DK/couldn't tell
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
PERCEIVED IMPACT BY RESPONDENT AGE
Total
(n=132)
Severely
Affected
61%
Age 18-34
Age 35-44
Age 45-54
Age 55-64
Age 65+
(n=22)
(n=27)
(n=32)
(n=30)
(n=21)
73
70
50
67
43
Moderately
Affected
28%
Not really
Affected
8%
Don't
Know
3%
5
30
38
23
43
14
6
10
14
9
6
-
Figure 4
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
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ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
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!
Of those who reported knowing an opiate addict, nearly nine out of ten
reported that the person's ability to function in society was severely (61%) or
moderately (28%) affected. One in twelve (8%) said that they didn't think the
person was really affected by their opiate addiction.
!
Across age groups, those under age 35 were more likely to say that the
person was severely affected (73%) and more likely to say that they didn't
know how much they were affected (9%) than were the other groups. The
other groups were more moderate in their assessment, with a higher
proportion rating the addict's ability to function as "moderately" affected.
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"Are they currently in recovery from their opiate abuse problem,
or are they still abusing opiates?"
STATUS OF KNOWN OPIATE ABUSER
(n=132)
In recovery
48%
Still abusing
opiates
30%
Deceased and
was using
2%
20%
DK/not in contact
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
PERCEIVED IMPACT BY RESPONDENT AGE
Total
(n=132)
In
Recovery
48%
Age 18-34
Age 35-44
Age 45-54
Age 55-64
Age 65+
(n=22)
(n=27)
(n=32)
(n=30)
(n=21)
36
41
56
50
52
Still
Using
30%
Deceased
Was Using
2%
Don't
Know
20%
41
52
22
20
19
3
5
23
7
22
27
19
Figure 5
!
Among those who were familiar with an opiate addict, half (48%) indicated
that their acquaintance was in recovery. One in three reported that the
user was still abusing opiates (30%) or that they were now deceased, but
using opiates until their death (2%). A fifth reported losing contact with the
user, or that they did not know the addict's recovery status (20%).
!
Half (52%) of respondents age 35 to 44 who knew an opiate abuser
indicated that their acquaintance was currently still abusing opiates.
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SECTION IV
GENERAL PERCEPTIONS REGARDING
OPIATE USERS AND SCOPE OF PROBLEM
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All respondents were asked:
"What age group of people do you think are most at risk of
becoming abusers of opiates?"
Under ten years of age (young children)
•
Preteens (10-12)
•
Early teens (13-15)
•
Late teens (16-18)
•
College age (19-22)
•
Young adults (23-29)
•
Adults (30's-40's)
•
Older Adults (50's- 60's)
•
Elderly (70+)
•
Anybody
•
PERCEIVED AGE GROUP MOST AT RISK
(n=404)
Young children
0%
1%
Preteens
5%
Early teens
20%
Late teens
27%
College age
19%
Young adults
9%
Adults (30s-40s)
Older adults (50s-60s)
1%
Elderly (70s +)
1%
16%
Anybody/don't know
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
Figure 6
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TABLE 4
AGE GROUPS PERCEIVED MOST AT RISK
BY RESPONDENT AGE
Total
Bangor
HSA
18-34
(n=404) (n=51)
Respondent Age
35-44 45-54 55-64
(n=61) (n=99) (n=94)
Known an
Opiate User
65+
Yes
No
(n=99) (n=132) (n=272)
Young children
Preteens
Early teens
Late teens
College age
Young adults
Adults (30s-40s)
Older adults (50s-60s)
Elderly (70s +)
1
5
20
27
19
9
1
1
6
24
33
14
8
2
-
2
7
20
39
20
3
-
2
14
27
22
11
1
1
2%
1
6
18
18
19
11
2
1
1
6
24
26
17
11
1
2
1%
1
5
23
30
17
9
-
1
6
18
26
20
10
2
1
Anybody/don't know
16
14
10
21
21
11
15
17
!
Figure 6 and Table 4 reveal that the age groups that residents of Eastern
Maine felt are most at risk of opiate abuse were those of college age
(27%), followed by late teens (20%) and young adults (19%).
!
One respondent in six said anybody was at risk (13%), while three percent
(3%) said that they didn't know which age groups were most at risk.
!
Across respondent age groups, the age groups between the late teens and
young adulthood were consistently named as most at risk.
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"Which of the following do you think is the most serious
problem facing the residents of Maine today? Of these four, is...
(problem)... the biggest concern facing the people of Maine?"
• Prescription Drug Abuse
• Alcohol Abuse
• Abuse of illegal Opiates, such as heroin
• Abuse of Meth, or Methamphetamines
ABUSE/DRUG PROBLEM PERCEIVED TO BE MOST SERIOUS
(n=404)
49%
Alcohol Abuse
Prescription
Drug Abuse
19%
Abuse of illegal
Opiates, such as
heroin
18%
12%
Abuse of Meth
3%
Don't know
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Figure 7
!
Of the four substance abuse problems cited to respondents, half felt that
alcohol abuse was the biggest problem facing area residents (49%).
!
Prescription drug abuse (19%) and abuse of illegal drugs (18%) were each
named by just under a fifth. Abuse of meth was named as the biggest
problem by one in eight (12%).
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
OCTOBER, 2006
ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
24
TABLE 5
MOST SERIOUS DRUG/ABUSE PROBLEM
BY RESPONDENT AGE
Total
Bangor
HSA
18-34
(n=404) (n=51)
Alcohol abuse
Prescription drug
abuse
Abuse of illegal
opiates, such as
heroin
Abuse of Meth, or
Methamphetamines
Don't know/refused
Respondent Age
35-44 45-54 55-64
(n=61) (n=99) (n=94)
Known an
Opiate User
65+
Yes
No
(n=99) (n=132) (n=272)
49%
35%
43%
54%
48%
56%
39%
54%
19
35
20
20
16
10
30
13
18
20
20
15
21
14
17
18
12
3
10
-
13
5
11
-
12
3
13
7
13
2
11
4
!
Respondents under age 35 were equally likely to cite alcohol abuse (35%)
or prescription drug use (35%) as the most serious problem, while all other
age groups were at least twice as likely to name alcohol abuse as being
most serious.
!
Those who knew an opiate abuser were less prone to cite alcohol abuse as
most serious (39%) than were those who didn't know an opiate abuser
(54%), and much more prone to cite prescription drug abuse (30% vs.
13%).
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
OCTOBER, 2006
ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
25
"Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with each of the
following statements. Do you strongly agree, mostly agree,
mostly disagree, or strongly disagree that ...?"
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Opiate addiction is a major problem in Eastern Maine
Opiate abuse is a crime and those who abuse them should be
treated as criminals
Opiate abuse is a disease and should be treated by doctors
and hospitals like any other health problem
There is often a link between opiate abuse and HIV
There is often a link between individuals having opiate abuse
problems and Hepatitis C
Opiate abuse problems or addiction can happen to anyone,
regardless of age, gender, race, social background, or
economic condition
More needs to be done to educate the people of Maine about
the dangers of opiate abuse
Even prescription opiates can be highly addictive
Opiate abuse can lead to physical changes in the human brain
AGREEMENT/DISAGREEMENT TO STATEMENTS ON ADDICTION/OPIATES
(n=404)
Agree
Disagree
Can lead to changes
in brain
95%
Even prescription
opiates addictive
96%
3%
More education
needed
96%
4%
Addiction can
happen to anyone
94%
Opiate addiction is a
major problem
1%
5%
71%
Disease: treat like
health problem
13%
79%
61%
Link to Hepatitis C
19%
10%
65%
Link to HIV
Crime: treat as
criminals
19%
60%
0%
20%
36%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Figure 8
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
OCTOBER, 2006
ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
26
TABLE 6
LEVEL OF AGREEMENT TO STATEMENTS
REGARDING OPIATES AND ADDICTION
(n=404)
Strongly
agree
Opiate abuse can lead to physical
changes in the human brain
Even prescription opiates can be highly
addictive
More needs to be done to educate the
people of Maine about the dangers
of opiate abuse
Opiate abuse problems or addiction
can happen to anyone, regardless of
age, gender, race, social
background, or economic condition
Opiate addiction is a major problem in
Eastern Maine
Opiate abuse is a disease and should
be treated by doctors and hospitals
like any other health problem
There is often a link between
individuals having opiate abuse
problems and Hepatitis C
There is often a link between opiate
abuse and HIV
Opiate abuse is a crime and those who
abuse them should be treated as
criminals
Mostly Mostly Strongly
agree disagree disagree
Don't
know
Mean
Rating
74%
22%
-
-
4%
3.76
72
24
2
1
2
3.69
72
24
3
1
-
3.66
69
25
3
2
-
3.62
37
34
10
2
17
3.26
47
33
11
8
2
3.21
25
36
8
2
28
3.18
28
37
15
4
16
3.06
25
35
23
13
4
2.75
!
Figure 8 and Table 6 revealed that a majority of residents of the Bangor
HSA agreed with all nine attitudinal statements that were posed to them
(60% to 96% agreed).
!
Nearly all respondents agreed that opiate abuse can lead to physical
changes in the brain (95%), that even prescription opiates can be highly
addictive (96%), that more education is needed about the dangers of opiate
abuse (96%), and that opiate addiction can happen to anyone (94%).
!
The lowest levels of agreement were with the notion that opiate abusers
should be treated like criminals (60% agreed; 2.75 on a 4.00 scale). This
statement was the only one to have a considerable proportion disagree
(36%).
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
OCTOBER, 2006
ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
27
TABLE 7
LEVEL OF AGREEMENT TO STATEMENTS
REGARDING OPIATES AND ADDICTION
BY RESPONDENT AGE
(% Agree)
Total
Bangor
HSA
18-34
(n=404) (n=51)
Can lead to changes
in brain
Even prescription
opiates addictive
More education
needed
Addiction can happen
to anyone
Opiate addiction is a
major problem
Disease: treat like
health problem
Link to Hepatitis C
Link to HIV
Crime: treat as
criminals
Respondent Age
35-44 45-54 55-64
(n=61) (n=99) (n=94)
Known an
Opiate User
65+
Yes
No
(n=99) (n=132) (n=272)
95%
92%
95%
94%
95%
98%
97%
94%
96
94
90
98
98
95
99
94
96
96
98
94
96
95
96
95
94
90
93
95
97
94
95
94
71
75
75
68
71
68
86
63
79
61
65
73
57
51
77
64
74
79
65
63
81
64
74
84
56
62
83
72
73
78
56
61
60
69
72
56
62
51
61
60
Note: levels of agreement that are 10% points higher or lower than the total are highlighted
!
Across age groups, younger respondents were less likely than others to
agree that there is often a link between opiate abuse and HIV (51%
agreed, compared to 65% overall).
!
Respondents age 35 to 44 were more likely than others to agree that
opiate abuse is a crime and those who abuse them should be treated as
criminals (72% agreed, compared to 60% overall).
!
Those who knew an opiate abuser were more likely than others to agree
opiate addiction to be a major problem (86% agreed) and that there is a
link between opiate abuse and Hepatitis C (72%). They were not more or
less likely to agree that opiate abusers should be treated as criminals.
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
OCTOBER, 2006
ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
28
SECTION V
RECALL OF INFORMATION ON OPIATES
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
OCTOBER, 2006
ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
29
"Have you recently read, seen or heard a news story or
information about opiate abuse and its affect on society in the
news or somewhere else?"
RECALL OF INFORMATION ON OPIATE ABUSE AND IMPACT ON SOCIETY
(% Yes)
Total (n=404)
41%
Central (n=205)
43%
Near North (n=65)
43%
North (n=25)
36%
East (n=25)
36%
South (n=56)
39%
36%
West (n=28)
Male (n=143)
39%
Female (n=261)
42%
18-34 (n=51)
27%
35-44 (n=61)
48%
42%
45-54 (n=99)
55-64 (n=94)
49%
35%
65+ (n=99)
Income <$35K (n=164)
43%
Income $35K<$75K (n=111)
41%
Income $75K+ (n=83)
47%
Children: Yes (n=83)
36%
42%
Children: No (n=321)
Known a user (n=132)
56%
34%
Have not known a user (n=272)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Figure 9
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
OCTOBER, 2006
ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
30
!
Two-fifths (41%) of respondents reported that they had recently read, seen
or heard a news story or information about opiate abuse and its affect on
society.
!
Awareness of such information was highest in the Central (43%) and Near
North (43%) portions of the Bangor HSA.
!
Women (42%) were more likely than men (39%) to recall information about
opiate abuse and its affects.
!
Across age categories, respondents under age 35 were the least likely to
recall such information (27%).
!
More than half (56%) of those who knew an opiate addict reported that they
had recently seen or heard information about opiate abuse and its affects.
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
OCTOBER, 2006
ACADIA HOSPITAL OPIATE ABUSE STUDY 2006
31
"Where did you most recently read, see, or hear something about
opiate abuse?"
SOURCE OF RECALLED INFORMATION ABOUT OPIATE ABUSE
(n=166)
34%
Newspaper-news story
33%
TV-program or news story
Newspaper-special section
14%
4%
TV-ad
Internet/website
3%
Work
3%
Radio-program or news story
2%
Word-of-mouth/friends
2%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
PERCEIVED SOURCE OF INFORMATION BY RESPONDENT AGE
Total 18-34 35-44 45-54 55-64
65+
(n=166) (n=14) (n=29) (n=42) (n=46) (n=35)
Newspaper story
34%
7%
38%
29%
30%
51%
TV program/story
33
43
21
40
35
29
Newspaper section/feature 14
14
10
12
17
14
TV ad
4
7
7
Internet/website
3
7
10
2
Work
3
7
7
2
2
Figure 10
!
A third of respondents reported reading the information they recalled about
opiate abuse in a newspaper story (34%), while an equal proportion named
TV programs or stories (33%).
!
Older respondents were more likely to name newspaper stories as their
source of information than were younger respondents.
SIGMA GROUP, LLC
OCTOBER, 2006
APPENDIX: SURVEY INSTRUMENT
2006 "Opiate Abuse" Consumer Market Study
3rd Draft – 9/15/06
EMHS Acadia Hospital
9/19/06
Date Approved By Client
Bangor, Maine
9/19/06
Date Approved By Sigma Group
"Opiate Abuse" Consumer Market Study
September, 2006
n=400/6 minutes
**
**
**
Survey Case Id #:
Area code and telephone number
Interview date
Hello, this is ____ with Sigma Group.
We are a healthcare research
group studying people's opinions of and experiences with health issues
and health care providers in your area. We need to be sure to include
your opinions and preferences in our study.
S1.
Are you the (male/female) head of the household?
1
2
3
4
S2.
Yes, male
Yes, female
No
No one available
(Ask to speak to that person)
(Set time to call back)
AGE: Is your age over or under 45?
(If "under", ask:) Are you (read 0-3, until "yes")
(If "over", ask:) Are you (read 4-7, until "yes")
0
Under 18
(Thank and terminate)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65-74
75 or older
(Refused)
(Thank and terminate)
Eastern Maine Medical Center ‘06
Sigma Group, LLC
1
2006 "Opiate Abuse" Consumer Market Study
S3.
3rd Draft – 9/15/06
What is your zip code?
04401
04402
04408
04410
04411
04412
04416
04418
04419
04422
04423
04427
04428
04429
04434
04438
04444
04449
04450
04453
04456
04461
04467
04468
04472
04473
04474
04488
04489
04496
04932
04972
04981
BANGOR HSA
Bangor
Bangor
Aurora
Bradford
Bradley
Brewer
Bucksport
Greenbush
Carmel
Charleston
Costigan
Corinth
Eddington
Holden
Etna
Frankfort
Hampden
Hudson
Kenduskeag
Lagrange
Levant
Milford
Olamon
Old Town
Orland
Orono
Orrington
Stetson
Stillwater
Winterport
Dixmont
Sandy Point
Stockton Spring
GENERAL AWARENESS OF OPIATES
1.
When you hear someone mention the word "opiates," what do
you think of or what first comes to your mind? (Open-ended
and code)
01
02
03
04
Other (list)
(DK)
(Refused)
Nothing
06
07
08
09
10
Alcohol/Alcoholism
AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)
Crime/Criminals
Drugs
Drug users/abusers/addicts
Eastern Maine Medical Center ‘06
Sigma Group, LLC
2
2006 "Opiate Abuse" Consumer Market Study
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
2.
4.
they
grow
it
(Afghanistan,
Which of the following do you think can be classified as
opiates?
Is (read & rotate A-F) an opiate, or not?
How
about...
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
3.
Foreign countries-where
China, SE Asia, etc.)
Heroin
Illegal/illegal drugs
Methadone
Narcotics
Opium
Oxycontin
Pain killers
Valium
Vicodin
Xanax
3rd Draft – 9/15/06
1
2
Yes, it is an opiate
No, it is not an opiate
8
9
(DK)
(Refused)
Marijuana
Heroin
Ibuprofen
Oxycontin
Vicodin
Methadone
We are studying people's level of familiarity with, and
knowledge about, opiates.
Opiates, such as prescription
drugs oxycontin and morphine, are also known as narcotics.
Have you ever known anyone that you are pretty sure was
addicted to opiates? (If respondent knows someone who was a
heavy user but isn't sure if they were addicted, code as
"Yes")
1
Yes
2
8
9
No
(DK)
(RF)
(Continue)
}
(Skip to #6)
At the time the person was addicted
say that their ability to function
school or perform the duties of a job
moderately affected, or not really
their use of opiates?
3
2
1
to opiates, would you
in society and attend
was severely affected,
affected that much by
Severely Affected
Moderately Affected
Not really affected that much
Eastern Maine Medical Center ‘06
Sigma Group, LLC
3
2006 "Opiate Abuse" Consumer Market Study
8
9
5.
6.
7.
8.
3rd Draft – 9/15/06
(DK)(couldn't really tell)
(RF)
Are they currently in recovery from their
problem, or are they still abusing opiates?
opiate
1
2
In recovery
Still abusing opiates (prescription or illegal)
8
9
(DK)(not in contact with them anymore)
(RF)
abuse
What age group of people do you think are most at risk of
becoming abusers of opiates? (Open-ended and code)
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
Under ten years of age (young children)
Preteens (10-12)
Early teens (13-15)
Late teens (16-18)
College age (19-22)
Young adults (23-29)
Adults (30's-40's)
Older Adults (50's- 60's)
Elderly (70+)
Anybody
11
12
(DK/NS)
(RF)
Which of the following do you think is the most serious
problem facing the residents of Maine today? Of these four,
is (read & rotate 1-4) the biggest concern facing the people
of Maine?
1
2
3
4
Prescription Drug Abuse
Alcohol Abuse
Abuse of illegal Opiates, such as heroin
Abuse of Meth, or Methamphetamines
8
9
(DK/NS)
(RF)
Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with each of
the following statements.
Do you strongly agree, mostly
agree, mostly disagree, or strongly disagree that (read &
rotate A-I)?
4
3
2
1
Strongly Agree
Mostly Agree
Mostly Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Eastern Maine Medical Center ‘06
Sigma Group, LLC
4
2006 "Opiate Abuse" Consumer Market Study
8
9
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
9.
3rd Draft – 9/15/06
(DK/NS)
(RF)
Opiate addiction is a major problem in Eastern Maine
Opiate abuse is a crime and those who abuse them should
be treated as criminals
Opiate abuse is a disease and should be treated by
doctors and hospitals like any other health problem
There is often a link between opiate abuse and HIV
There is often a link between individuals having opiate
abuse problems and Hepatitis C
Opiate abuse problems or addiction can happen to
anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, social
background, or economic condition
More needs to be done to educate the people of Maine
about the dangers of opiate abuse
Even prescription opiates can be highly addictive
Opiate abuse can lead to physical changes in the human
brain
HOLD
Information Awareness
10.
Have you recently read, seen or heard a news story or
information about opiate abuse and its affect on society in
the news or somewhere else?
1
Yes
(Continue)
2
8
9
No
(DK)
(RF)
(Skip to #D1)
(Skip to #D1)
(Skip to #D1)
11.
Where did you most recently read, see, or hear something
about opiate abuse? (Open ended and code)
01
02
03
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Other (list)
(DK)
(RF)
At the hospital/visiting the hospital
Billboard
Brochure
Direct mail/sent me something
Doctor Referral Service/First Nurse
Doctor's office/doctor
E-Mail
Educational services/health fairs/community service
Friends/Family
Insurance mailing/insurance company/health plan
Internet/website/web
Magazines
Newsletter
Eastern Maine Medical Center ‘06
Sigma Group, LLC
5
2006 "Opiate Abuse" Consumer Market Study
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
3rd Draft – 9/15/06
Newspaper – Advertisement
Newspaper – special section or feature
Newspaper - news story
Pamphlets at the hospital
Professional (Counselor, advisor, health professional)
Radio – Advertisement
Radio – program or news story
School
Seminars
State agency or government unit/department
TV – Ad or Commercial
TV – program or news story
Word-of-mouth
Work
Yellow pages/phone book
DEMOGRAPHICS BEGIN HERE:
D1.
Children in Household:
Do any children
household that are under the age of 13?
1
2
8
9
D2.
live
in
your
Yes
No
(DK)
(RF)
Is your total annual household income, before taxes, over or
under $25,000?
(If
(If
(If
(If
(If
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
"Under", ask:)
"Over", ask:)
"Over", ask:)
"Over", ask:)
"Over", ask:)
Is
Is
Is
Is
Is
it
it
it
it
it
over
over
over
over
over
or
or
or
or
or
under
under
under
under
under
$15,000?
$35,000?
$45,000?
$55,000?
$75,000?
Under $15,000
$15,000 - $24,999
$25,000 - $34,999
$35,000 - $44,999
$45,000 - $54,999
$55,000 - $74,999
$75,000 and over
(DK)
(Refused)
Eastern Maine Medical Center ‘06
Sigma Group, LLC
6
2006 "Opiate Abuse" Consumer Market Study
3rd Draft – 9/15/06
(Interviewer Read:)
Again, this is ____ with Sigma Group.
Thank you very much for
your time and your willingness to share your opinions with us. I need
to confirm that we reached you at _____. (Validate phone number.)
Thank you again, and have a nice evening/day.
(READ ONLY AS NEEDED:)
The Sigma Group was retained by The Acadia Hospital located in Bangor,
Maine. Acadia is interested in learning more about the level of
awareness eastern Maine residents have regarding opiates and opiate
abuse, as they are preparing to launch a major public education
campaign. If you would like more information, you can call Acadia's
Director of Community Relations and Development Alan Comeau at (207)
973-6166.
**
**
Interviewer ID:
Interview length:(in minutes)
Eastern Maine Medical Center ‘06
Sigma Group, LLC
7