Partnership for Drug-Free Kids Collaborates on New Congressional Toolkit Offering Comprehensive Addiction Resources for Country’s Opioid Epidemic

~ Partnership Resources Featured in Addiction Toolkit for Each Congressional District ~ 

NEW YORK – The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, a national nonprofit working to reduce substance abuse among adolescents, in collaboration with the Addiction Policy Forum and the House of Representatives Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, developed a comprehensive addiction resources toolkit to help the families impacted by the heroin and opioid crisis. Today, Members of Congress will unveil the guide on their websites and in their district offices and will train their office staff to provide key resources to families and individuals in their communities facing addiction.

More Americans die every day from drug overdoses than from car accidents – an average of 129 people per day – with six out of 10 deaths related to opioids. This toolkit was developed in response to the fact that a majority of those who need help with addiction issues are not receiving it. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, in 2014, only 11 percent of the approximately 22.7 million Americans who needed treatment for substance use received it.

“We are honored to partner with Members of Congress to provide families with resources to help them find the support and treatment they need to deal with addiction,” said Marcia Lee Taylor, President and CEO of the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. “For 30 years, the Partnership has been there for families, and today, the need has never been greater. We enthusiastically offer our science-based resources for this toolkit and applaud Members of Congress who understand the importance of making this information easily accessible and available to their constituents.”

Leading national and community organizations contributed to this comprehensive set of resources on prevention, drug treatment, recovery support and general information for families, community organizations, schools, and parents concerned about addiction and seeking support. The groups who contributed to this guide include: Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, the National Council for Behavioral Health, the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, Shatterproof, Faces & Voices of Recovery, Legal Action Center, National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

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About the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids is dedicated to reducing substance abuse among adolescents by supporting families and engaging with teens. We develop public education campaigns that drive awareness of teen substance abuse, and lead teen-targeted efforts that inspire young people to make positive decisions to stay healthy and avoid drugs and alcohol. On our website, drugfree.org, and through our toll-free helpline (1-855-DRUGFREE), we provide families with direct support and guidance to help them address teen substance abuse. Finally, we build healthy communities, advocating for great access to adolescent treatment and funding for youth prevention programs. As a national nonprofit, we depend on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and the public sector and are thankful to SAG-AFTRA and the advertising and media industries for their ongoing generosity. We are proud to receive a National Accredited Charity Seal from The Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance.