Forty-three percent of Americans say the prescription drug abuse is a serious issue, up 10 percent from 2016, according to a survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
The survey includes responses from 1,054 adults who were polled between March 14 and March 19 online as well as by using landlines and cell phones.
Here are five survey findings.
1. Fifty-three percent of survey respondents noted prescription drug addiction is a disease, but many regard the addiction as a behavioral failing.
2. Around 44 percent said opioid addiction shows a lack of willpower or discipline, while 32 percent said it is caused by a character defect or bad parenting.
3. Approximately, 64 percent said they would like to see more effort to crack down on drug dealers.
4. Twenty-four percent say they have an addicted relative, close friend or they themselves are addicted to opioids.
5. Two-thirds of the respondents reported their community is not doing enough to make treatment programs accessible and affordable.
"The number of people who recognize how serious the opioid epidemic is in this nation is growing," said NORC Vice President for Public Affairs Research Trevor Tompson. "There is clearly a continuing challenge to ensure what is learned about the crisis is grounded in fact."