Abstract:
The information shared in this report shines a light on a
population affected by opioids that is often hidden from
view, allows for comparison of the “ripple effect” to other public health problems, and offers an opportunity
to identify strategies to blunt the epidemic’s impact on
children. These strategies include the use of evidencebased interventions that help stabilize and strengthen
families with substance use disorder (SUD) whenever
possible, in the hope of avoiding out-of-home placements;
policies and programs that promote the healthy
development of children and adolescents adversely
affected by family substance use; expansion of treatment
and recovery programs for adolescents; and supporting
foster and kinship caregivers.