Substance Use Prevention
The Intersection of Foster Care and Substance Use
Substance abuse prevention is a critical component of improving the well-being of youth in foster care and their families. Research consistently shows that foster youth are at a significantly higher risk of substance use compared to their peers.
- Up to 35% of foster youth engage in substance use before the age of 18
- 50% to 75% of foster youth experience substance use issues by young adulthood
- 30% of youth who age out of foster care develop serious substance use disorders (Sources: National Institute on Drug Abuse, Casey Family Programs)
Factors such as childhood trauma, frequent instability, and lack of supportive networks contribute to these increased risks. Without appropriate intervention and prevention strategies, foster youth struggling with substance use are more likely to experience homelessness, unemployment, and involvement with the criminal justice system.
Addressing the Root Causes: Trauma and Instability
Many foster youth turn to substance use as a means of coping with past trauma and the instability of their upbringing. In Los Angeles County, a large percentage of foster youth report struggling with mental health challenges that often correlate with substance use. Programs like We Are LA & Housing Support Initiatives provide stable housing and substance use treatment for former foster youth, helping to break the cycle of addiction and homelessness.
The Role of Parental Substance Use in Family Separation
Parental substance use is one of the leading causes of child removals in the U.S. In 2021, 39% of children who entered foster care were removed due to parental drug use (Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).
Historically, parental drug use has often resulted in child removal rather than rehabilitation-focused interventions. However, in recent years, communities like Los Angeles County have implemented family treatment programs that prioritize rehabilitation, helping parents recover while working toward reunification with their children.
Key Programs in Los Angeles County:
- Drug Dependency Court : Provides supervised treatment and support for parents with substance use disorders to promote family reunification.
- Family-Based Treatment Programs : Offer specialized services, allowing parents to receive addiction recovery support while maintaining a connection with their children.
Despite progress, many foster youth and biological parents still face barriers to accessing appropriate substance use treatment, including cost, availability, and stigma. Without long-term support, many parents relapse, prolonging family separation or leading to permanent termination of parental rights.
Policy Recommendations: Fostering Prevention of Prison Pipelines
To address the foster care-to-prison pipeline, NFYI has developed several policy recommendations aimed at
breaking this cycle and providing foster youth with the support they need to thrive outside the justice system:
breaking this cycle and providing foster youth with the support they need to thrive outside the justice system:
1
Expand Outpatient Treatment Resources : Increase funding for outpatient substance abuse treatment centers that cater specifically to foster youth, integrating mental health services with substance use prevention.
2
Trauma-Informed Care in Schools : Require comprehensive trauma-informed care training for all K-12 teachers and school staff to better support foster youth at risk of substance use.
3
Multidisciplinary Support Teams : Increase funding for outpatient substance abuse treatment centers that cater specifically to foster youth, integrating mental health services with substance use prevention.
4
Establish Accountability Frameworks : Implement policies that hold healthcare providers accountable for their prescribing practices, particularly when it comes to opioids and other addictive medications for foster and justice-impacted youth. Mandate training for healthcare professionals on the risks of addiction, especially for youth in the foster care and juvenile justice systems
5
Screening for Family History of Addiction : Require healthcare professionals to screen for family histories of addiction before prescribing potentially addictive medications to foster youth. Ensure comprehensive assessments that consider the unique vulnerabilities of system-impacted youth.
6
Increased Monitoring and Oversight : Require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to release data on prescribing patterns of medications to foster and justice-involved youth. Use this data to evaluate the impact of the Fostering Connections to Success Act and to improve future policies.
Policy Recommendations for Substance Use Prevention
Addressing substance use within the foster care system requires a multifaceted approach that
includes prevention, intervention, and accountability measures.
includes prevention, intervention, and accountability measures.
1
Expand Outpatient Treatment Resources
Increase funding for outpatient substance abuse treatment centers that cater specifically to foster youth, integrating mental health services with substance use prevention.
2
Trauma-Informed Care in Schools
Require comprehensive trauma-informed care training for all K-12 teachers and school staff to better support foster youth at risk of substance use.
3
Multidisciplinary Support Teams
Increase funding for outpatient substance abuse treatment centers that cater specifically to foster youth, integrating mental health services with substance use prevention.
4
Establish Accountability Frameworks
Implement policies that hold healthcare providers accountable for their prescribing practices, particularly when it comes to opioids and other addictive medications for foster and justice-impacted youth. Mandate training for healthcare professionals on the risks of addiction, especially for youth in the foster care and juvenile justice systems
5
Screening for Family History of Addiction
Require healthcare professionals to screen for family histories of addiction before prescribing potentially addictive medications to foster youth. Ensure comprehensive assessments that consider the unique vulnerabilities of system-impacted youth.
6
Increased Monitoring and Oversight
Require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to release data on prescribing patterns of medications to foster and justice-involved youth. Use this data to evaluate the impact of the Fostering Connections to Success Act and to improve future policies.
NFYI in Action
Substance use prevention is a critical component of ensuring healthier futures for foster youth and families. By prioritizing trauma-informed care, expanding access to treatment, and increasing oversight of prescribing practices, we can create systemic changes that support youth in foster care and prevent cycles of addiction from continuing into future generations.
At NFYI, we are committed to policy change, community education, and youth leadership to ensure that foster youth and their families have the resources and support they need. We currently hold regular substance use disorder listening sessions and trainings with our Los Angeles Chapter and are working with influencers and policymakers on increasing public awareness and engagement around the issue.
These policy recommendations are part of our three-year campaign, Urgency to Act: Unlocking Foster Youth Wellbeing, designed by NFYI staff, youth members, and researchers.