"see it important" or "see it as important"

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1
  1. I do not see it important.
  2. I do not see it as important.

Please someone let me know which of these phrases would be correct?

Thanks

2

Only the second is correct.

It’s an accepted shorter form of ‘…see it as (being) important.’

3

Beeesneees,
“Preventing drug-abuse has long been recognized as being important to the public health.”
Is this sentence OK?

4

There wouldn’t usually be an article before ‘public health’ but it’s okay,