CDC Newly Released Data on Drug Overdose Deaths Among Persons Aged 10 – 19 Years, US

The CDC just released new data clearly indicating that overdose deaths among persons aged 14 – 18 years has increased. In fact, it has more than doubled from 2019 to 2021.

The CDC report provides some shocking data about what is happening to our teens:

• 2/3 had a bystander nearby (often a parent) and no naloxone was used
• 1 in 3 had prior opioid use
• 1 in 4 deaths also involved stimulants
• 1 in 7 overdosed before
• 2 in 5 had mental health issues

These findings spotlight a critical need to increase education and service in our communities, and most importantly for our parents. The report emphasizes the value of protective factors and the importance of implementing programs to prevent adverse childhood experiences that predispose adolescents to risk.

Children Deserve Recovery Too! – Hurry and Apply, Limited Spots Still Available

Selected nonprofits receive a FREE NACoA’s Children’s Program Kit & on-demand training. Bring recovery to kids in your underserved community with a high rate of Alcohol Use Disorder and/or Opioid Use Disorder! Email mbcollins@nacoa.org if you have any questions.

Learn More and Apply>>

Support During the Holidays

For families impacted by addiction, the holidays, substance misuse, and its related stresses may bring on a great deal of additional fear and isolation. Here are some resources to help caring adults shepherd these children and young adults through the season with information, guidance, and reminders that the addiction and related concerns are not their fault.

• Infographic: The Importance of Holiday Rituals for Children of Addiction
• Holidays, Family Gatherings, and Recovery
• NPR: How to Set Boundaries With Family – Stick to Them
• Alateen Teen Center 

COA Awareness Week Materials Now Available

COA Awareness Week is an international awareness campaign bringing caring adults around the globe together to raise awareness and educate our communities about the impact of addiction on children and families. It is also a time to celebrate the resiliency being nurtured in children fortunate enough to receive the support and services they deserve! Please join us in 2023 and be a voice for these children who so desperately need our help and hope for lifelong healing.

Visit the COA Awareness Week webpage to find some materials to begin to discuss your plans for the week:

• 2023 COA Awareness Week Flyer
• 2023 COA Awareness Week Social Media Toolkit
• Why COA Awareness Week 2023
• 2023 COA Awareness Week Activities
• Impact of Alcohol/Opioid Use Disorder on Children

The COA Awareness Week webpage will feature additional materials as they become available. 

Help Us Help the Children! For almost 40 years, NACoA has been committed to raising awareness about the issues facing kids & teens impacted by families with addiction. We advocate on their behalf by conducting trainings and developing materials and evidence-informed programs to help them be resilient. With recent increases in adult consumption of alcohol, marijuana, and other substances throughout the country, NACoA’s advocacy, messages, trainings, and materials are needed now more than ever. Help us help the children by donating and joining us for our 40th Anniversary Celebration. DONATE TODAY!

NACoA Office Closed

In our tradition of promoting a family friendly work/life balance, our office will be idle from 12.23.22 until 1.2.23 for the holidays. If Celebrating Families! or NACoA’s Children’s Program Kit curriculum and/or training needs to be ordered and invoiced before the end of the year, please contact the office or Director of Programs Mary Beth Collins next week.