Advocates Push for Drug Settlement Funds to Aid Children

The opioid crisis has left a devastating impact on children in the U.S., with over 321,000 children losing a parent to overdose between 2011 and 2021, a rate that more than doubled in that period. Eight-year-old Emma, whose mother died from an overdose, represents many children facing similar grief, highlighting the urgent need for mental health support and resources for these affected youths. In Arizona, the alarming rise of fentanyl exposure has resulted in 34 deaths among children under five, raising concerns about accessibility and safety as the drug becomes cheaper and more prevalent. Experts emphasize the necessity for serious interventions to protect children from the direct consequences of parental substance abuse and the increasing dangers of drug exposure. Recent studies show that mothers receiving treatment for opioid use disorder during pregnancy are more likely to keep their infants at home, suggesting effective treatment can prevent family separations. Advocates are calling for the allocation of settlement funds from opioid lawsuits to support children and caregivers coping with the fallout of addiction.