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Substance Abuse NPR's Richard Harris reports on a group of leading doctors that is championing an effort to have addiction treated like any other chronic disease. At a Washington news conference, today they complained that insurance policies and government programs often relegate these conditions to second class status -- and don't pay for treatment. The nation's drug problems could be addressed more effectively, they say, if substance abuse treated as a disease.

All Things Considered

Substance Abuse

Heard on All Things Considered

Substance Abuse

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NPR's Richard Harris reports on a group of leading doctors that is championing an effort to have addiction treated like any other chronic disease. At a Washington news conference, today they complained that insurance policies and government programs often relegate these conditions to second class status — and don't pay for treatment. The nation's drug problems could be addressed more effectively, they say, if substance abuse treated as a disease.