The Economist: Opioid Epidemic May Given Republicans Upper Hand

[drusso]

Places ravaged by opioids are giving Republicans the upper hand

Could the opioid epidemic have driven legions of voters to the right?

www.economist.com

"Anger about the opioid epidemic may have made people more receptive to right-wing ideas. Places with high cancer rates—and therefore more opioid marketing—saw a rise in conservative views on immigration, abortion and guns, as well as a surge in animosity towards people from a different party than their own. Both white and black people shifted right by similar amounts, regardless of where they lived. They also found other signs that these areas were lurching to the right: donations to Democratic candidates fell and Fox News viewership rose."

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[thiswonthurtabit]

Interesting observation but there is significant value in remembering the old adage: correlation does imply causation.

 

[Ducttape]

Interesting observation but there is significant value in remembering the old adage: correlation does imply causation.

exactly

perhaps opioid use caused increased cancer rates?
or perhaps the rightward shift and anger caused increased stress that lead to increased cancer rates?
or perhaps the rightward shift caused animus to science and medical care leading to reduced rates of preventative health and then increased cancer?

i cant read the article through the firewall, but based on what you posted:
what you can say is those people in these areas had higher cancer rates, increased rate of republican votes and there was increased conservative views in these areas. not much else...