At NACoA, we are deeply grateful for the law enforcement officers across the country who are stepping up in powerful ways—officers who are choosing to become not just protectors, but also safe adults for children living with the hidden wounds of parental substance use.
When a child grows up in a home impacted by substance use disorder (SUD), they often carry unseen burdens—fear, confusion, isolation. These are children who may not speak up, but who are watching and hoping that someone will see them, understand them, and offer safety in the midst of chaos.
This is why we created NACoA’s Law Enforcement Training Course—to help officers understand the impact of SUD on families and children, and to equip them with tools to respond in ways that are trauma-informed, compassionate, and effective. Through this training, officers learn not just about the dynamics of addiction, but how to notice the child hiding in the background, how to offer a calming presence, and how to connect families with help.
The response has been inspiring.
“I will listen more and show them that I care and they can count on me.”
“I will now be approaching children with a trauma-informed lens.”
“As a result of taking this training, I am better aware of resources I can provide to children and families, and I’ll take greater action to attempt to make a bigger difference for these children from now on.”
“I feel like I’m an ambassador for these children now that I have this training.”
These statements come directly from officers who’ve completed our training—and they reflect the heart of what NACoA hopes to foster: a network of trusted, informed professionals who are equipped to see children not just as bystanders, but as individuals in need of support and connection.
We know law enforcement officers encounter families in crisis every day. And when those officers understand substance use as a disease—not a moral failing—and recognize the trauma these children carry, their presence becomes more than authoritative. It becomes healing.
To every officer who has participated in this education: thank you. Thank you for listening differently. Thank you for pausing long enough to ask the right questions. Thank you for choosing compassion in moments that are often tense and complex. And thank you for becoming an ambassador for children who deserve safety, empathy, and a future filled with hope.
For more information about the NACoA law enforcement curriculum email us or visit our website: Nacoa.org
