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Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

You Are Not Alone

Supporting Youth and Families Impacted by Substance Use

Substance abuse is a major challenge in communities across America.  A 2018 national survey revealed that in the past year, more than 20 million people age 12 and older had a substance use disorder related to the use of alcohol or illicit drugs.  To help youth and families overcome the effects of substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders, the Office of Juvenile Justice and...

Marshaling Resources to Address Addiction in the Midst of a Pandemic

Covid-19 Virus

Our nation is facing a challenging time. The ways in which many of us live our lives have been disrupted by a global pandemic. As our President has said, “defeating this unseen enemy requires the help and commitment of every single American,” and “[we] continue to marshal every resource at America’s disposal in the fight…”

During this time of restricted movement, changing infrastructure, and stretched...

Federal Agencies Work Toward Reducing Opioid Impact on Youth

 

Meeting of participants at the Coordinating Council on JJDP
Betty-Ann Bryce, Department of Agriculture (far right), speaks about the impact of drug addiction on rural American communities during a panel discussion at the March 14 meeting of the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention on the impact of the opioid crisis on youth. Listening are fellow panelists (left to right): Ramon Bonzon, Public Health Advisor, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; Tara Kunkel, senior drug policy analyst, Bureau of Justice Assistance; and Kellie Blue, associate administrator, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. PHOTO CREDIT: (U.S. Department of Justice photo by Paul Adams)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The anecdotal evidence is staggering:  Children as young as 12 raising their siblings because their parents are lost in addiction; kids who learn to count by separating pills for drug-addicted parents; juveniles adjusting to life with sober foster parents after spending years learning to cope with parents who were always high.

These were just a few examples provided by the Department...