Senators from different sides of the aisle, Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Chris Coons (D-DE), have collaborated to introduce a bipartisan bill aimed at combating youth drug use. The Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act proposes to lean hard into public service announcements (PSAs) and contests to educate young Americans about the risks associated with drug use. This initiative seeks to bolster the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP), allowing for state and local governments to more effectively tailor PSA campaigns to the needs of their communities.
In a statement obtained by Senator Kelly's press team, Kelly punctuated the need for localized strategies. “As drug addiction continues to destroy the lives of young people and their families in red and blue states alike, we need to address the problem in ways that speak directly to teens,” he said. Senator Tillis, highlighting the importance of awareness, added, “We must do everything we can to make young adults aware of the dangers of substance abuse.” Meanwhile, Senator Coons emphasized the opportunity for youth to become leaders in this fight, stating, "Too many young Americans know firsthand the harms of opioid addiction and deserve every opportunity to be leaders in combatting this crisis in their communities."
The proposed legislation has garnered support from a wide network of foundations and coalitions. For instance, Kris Mayes, Arizona's Attorney General, praised the initiative: "Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45. Cartels are even targeting Arizona teenagers on social media, leading to overdoses in children as young as 14 years old. Our Fentanyl PSA contest has been one of the most successful ways my office has engaged the next generation of Arizonans in the fight against the fentanyl crisis," Mayes told Kelly's media team. This initiative builds upon existing PSA campaigns that have proven successful at the state level.
Equally importantly, the bill is seen as a means to possibly break the cycle of addiction. Denise Bertin-Epp, President/CEO of the National Association for Children Impacted by Addiction (NACoA), emphasized the economic and social benefits of early intervention: “Every dollar invested in prevention can save up to $18 in future costs," she explained. Echoing the sentiment, Merilee Fowler, Executive Director of MATFORCE, added, "The Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act will provide youth with the information necessary to help them make healthy choices." The legislation's support speaks volumes about the pressing need to address substance use risks among the country's youth.
The COSSUP is part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) of 2016, designed to give financial and technical assistance to various governing bodies to deal with the multifaceted challenges posed by illicit substances.
