Over 320,000 U.S. Children Orphaned by Drug Overdoses in a Decade, NIDA Study Shows

Tejal Somvanshi Tejal Somvanshi

A decade-long study unveils that over 320,000 U.S. children were orphaned by parental drug overdoses.

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Rates of children losing parents to overdoses more than doubled from 2011 to 2021.

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Dr. Nora Volkow states, 'Each overdose death prevented could mean a child not orphaned.'

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Research pinpoints the significant rise in orphan rates among children from communities of color.

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Economic, social, and healthcare support is critical for children who have lost parents to overdoses.

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In the last decade, 649,599 people aged 18 to 64 died from drug overdoses, affecting countless families.

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Dr. Emily Einstein highlights the study's roots in efforts similar to those during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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SAMHSA's Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon calls for comprehensive responses to the overdose crisis.

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The study suggests an alarming trend in parental overdose deaths and their impact on American youth.

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