A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals that nearly 19 million children in the U.S., about 25 percent, have at least one parent with a substance use disorder (SUD), many of whom have moderate to severe addiction. The study used data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which tracks substance use and mental health trends based on current diagnostic standards.
While the study underscores the long-term impact of substance use on children and families, other recent findings point to evolving risks within the broader population. In its May 2025 report, the Drug Enforcement Administration identified a troubling trend: the increasing contamination of illicit stimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, with fentanyl. In the Western U.S., fentanyl-laced stimulants were involved in half of all fentanyl-related overdose deaths. Together, these findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive strategies that address both the impacts of substance use and increasing risks posed by a potentially toxic illicit drug supply.
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