Protecting the youngest victims of substance use
The substance use and overdose crises have claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and affected millions more. A recent RAND study found that more than 40% of Americans know someone who died from an overdose.
Children are especially at risk from the impacts of these crises because they suffer the loss of care and support when a parent or caretaker uses substances, becomes involved in the justice system or experiences an overdose as a result of substance misuse.
Additionally, children are at greater risk for harm caused by parents and caregivers with a substance use disorder. According to a 2022 report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, children living with parents who have a substance use disorder are at an increased risk of having a variety of emotional, cognitive, behavioral and social problems, and are more likely to experience maltreatment. Other HHS research shows that children in households where someone has a substance use disorder are more likely to suffer physical and sexual abuse.
As part of the Office of Justice Programs’ efforts to support youth impacted by the substance use and overdose crises, the Office for Victims of Crime supports organizations that understand the impact of a parent’s or caretaker’s substance misuse on young victims and are dedicated to supporting them by providing advocacy, physical and mental health services and other support services.
During National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, we highlighted some of the OVC-funded programs focused on protecting and supporting children affected by the substance use and overdose crises.
