A new study published by the UK Drug Policy Commission discovered that 87 percent of people aged 16 to 19 had "expressed negative views about drug addiction." This is compared to 64 percent of people over 65 years old who had a negative view about drug addiction.
The study brought attention to the stigmatizing attitude that prevails about drug addiction. A survey of 23 recreational drug users aged 16 to 19 in London found that 21 of them used words like "dirty" "evil" and "disgusting" to describe heroin use around them.
A Canadian research study had found that decreasing the stigmatization of drug addiction could have both positive and negative effects.
"The Canadian researchers concluded that while it would be beneficial for problem users in reducing barriers to treatment, there is the possibility that it could lead to greater drug user among young people," said the UK Drug Policy Commission review.
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