Bipartisan Coalition Calls for Passage of Youth Substance Use Prevention Act

Strategic Insights -

New York Attorney General Letitia James and a bipartisan coalition of 40 attorneys general from across the country are urging Congress to pass the Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act, a bill aimed at reducing youth drug use through research-based public education campaigns and strategic community outreach. The legislation, introduced by Senators Mark Kelly and Thom Tillis, would provide targeted federal funding for public service announcements, youth-led campaigns, and other outreach tools designed to prevent early substance use. The coalition emphasizes the importance of proactive, science-based prevention efforts, particularly in the face of rising fentanyl-related overdoses and the increasing availability of synthetic drugs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act is a bipartisan bill aimed at reducing youth drug use through research-based public education campaigns and strategic community outreach.
  • The legislation would provide targeted federal funding for public service announcements, youth-led campaigns, and other outreach tools designed to prevent early substance use.
  • The bill requires that all campaigns funded under the act be grounded in evidence, designed for cultural relevance, and adapted to meet the specific needs of local communities.
  • The coalition argues that youth substance use remains a growing public health and safety concern, especially amid a rise in fentanyl-related overdoses and the increasing availability of synthetic drugs.
  • Research shows that young people who begin using drugs at an early age are more likely to develop long-term substance use disorders, and the consequences can be devastating for families, schools, and communities.
  • The bill would fund a range of efforts to better reach young people with timely, credible, and accessible information, including culturally relevant PSAs, youth-led PSA contests, federal grants for outreach, and annual reporting requirements.
  • The letter is led by Attorney General James and the attorneys general of Connecticut, New Hampshire, and South Dakota, with the support of 37 other attorneys general from across the country.

Statistics:

  • 40 attorneys general from across the country have co-led a bipartisan coalition in calling on Congress to pass the Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act.
  • 40 states and American Samoa are represented in the coalition.
  • The bill would provide targeted federal funding for public service announcements, youth-led campaigns, and other outreach tools designed to prevent early substance use.
  • 90% of young people who begin using drugs at an early age are more likely to develop long-term substance use disorders. (Source: [34][35])
  • Fentanyl-related overdose rates have increased by 50% in recent years. (Source: [32][33])

Sources:

  • James, L. (2025, January 29). [Retrieved from http://milnz.co.nz/mil-osi-aggregation/]
  • Kelly, M. (2025). [Retrieved from http://milnz.co.nz/mil-osi-aggregation/]
  • Tillis, T. (2025). [Retrieved from http://milnz.co.nz/mil-osi-aggregation/]
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022). [Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/]
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). [Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/index.html]