Reporting on addiction: countering misinformation about addiction, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery

Abstract

Misinformation, or the spread of false information, can affect policy and individual health behaviors. Harm reduction practitioners and researchers have seen their work misrepresented in the media to the detriment of people in their community. Media coverage affects both public opinion and policy, which necessitates that it be informed by the current science and carefully platforms people who can speak to the science. Reporting on Addiction was formed to understand issues with media coverage and the consequences of this uninformed media coverage and propose solutions to these issues. Our “three-legged stool” approach defines this work (academic experts, researchers, community members, and the media) by identifying the problems and guiding our solutions. By working collaboratively with the media to improve their knowledge about addiction science, we aim to reduce misinformation and improve the lives of people with an addiction, in treatment, and during recovery.