~ As the week of February 11th approaches, the National Association for Children of Addiction (NACoA) is gearing up for their annual campaign to raise awareness about children affected by parental addiction. This year's Children of Addiction Week aims to break the silence and stigma surrounding this vulnerable population.

According to NACoA, one in four children lives in a family impacted by parental addiction. These children are at a higher risk of developing addiction themselves later in life. In fact, they are more than twice as likely to have a drug and alcohol use disorder by young adulthood compared to their peers.

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The impact of parental addiction on these children goes beyond just future substance abuse. They also face serious medical concerns, such as educational delays and inadequate medical and dental care. Shockingly, almost a quarter of these children do not receive routine child health maintenance services in their first two years of life. This puts them at a greater risk for mental health and behavioral problems, including substance use disorder (SUD).

In recognition of Children of Addiction Week, the City Council has adopted a resolution to officially recognize the week of February 11th as Children of Addiction Week in the City of Boston. The council plans to work collaboratively with NACoA to combat the negative outcomes faced by these children and ensure a brighter future for them.

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