Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday joins a bipartisan coalition of 39 attorneys general pushing Congress to pass legislation aimed at preventing youth substance abuse through education and community outreach.
At a Glance
- 40 attorneys general from across the country are urging Congress to pass the Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act
- The bipartisan bill would fund evidence-based public education campaigns and community outreach to reduce youth drug use
- Legislation targets rising threats from fentanyl and synthetic drugs through culturally relevant prevention campaigns
- The bill was introduced by U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) with broad bipartisan support
Bipartisan Coalition Advocates for Youth Protection
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has joined a nationwide effort of 40 attorneys general pressing Congress to enact the Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act. The bipartisan coalition, co-led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, seeks to establish stronger protections against the growing dangers of substance abuse among America’s youth. The legislation would amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide crucial federal funding for public education campaigns targeting youth substance abuse.
The initiative comes as communities across America face unprecedented challenges from dangerous substances. The attorneys general emphasize that proactive, science-based prevention efforts are essential due to increased risks from drugs like fentanyl and xylazine. These synthetic substances have contributed to a surge in overdose deaths among young Americans, creating an urgent need for intervention strategies that specifically address youth vulnerability.
Evidence-Based Approach to Prevention
The proposed legislation would fund research-based public education campaigns designed to reach young people before they experiment with dangerous substances. These campaigns would be required to meet rigorous standards for effectiveness, with requirements that they be evidence-based, culturally relevant, and adapted to local community needs. This tailored approach recognizes that substance abuse challenges vary significantly across different communities and demographic groups.
“Too many young people know firsthand just how deadly drugs like fentanyl can be,” said Attorney General James. “As the opioid epidemic continues to tear apart families and communities, attorneys general remain on the front lines protecting our youth, and we need all levels of government to help fight back. The Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act is a commonsense bipartisan measure that will provide significant resources to help save lives and educate young people about the dangers of drug use.”
The Act’s comprehensive approach includes support for culturally relevant public service announcements, youth-led PSA contests, and federal grants for outreach across various media platforms. This multi-faceted strategy aims to engage young people through channels they actually use, rather than relying solely on traditional educational methods that may not effectively reach today’s youth.
Accountability and Bipartisan Support
U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the legislation with strong bipartisan backing. The Act includes annual reporting requirements to ensure transparency and accountability by measuring the reach and effectiveness of the campaigns. These reporting mechanisms will allow for ongoing evaluation and improvement of prevention strategies as drug threats evolve and youth communication channels change.
The coalition of 40 attorneys general represents an unusually broad consensus across political lines. The letter supporting the Act is led by Attorney General James along with attorneys general from Connecticut, New Hampshire, and South Dakota, with additional support from across 36 states and American Samoa. This widespread support underscores the severity of the youth substance abuse crisis and the shared commitment to protecting the next generation from addiction and overdose.
Growing Public Health Concern
The coalition highlights the alarming rise in youth substance use as a critical public health concern. Fentanyl-related overdoses have increased dramatically in recent years, with synthetic drugs becoming more widely available and increasingly dangerous. Prevention efforts funded by the Act would specifically target these emerging threats, providing communities with resources to educate youth before they experiment with potentially deadly substances.
The push for this legislation represents a shift toward prevention rather than just enforcement or treatment. By intervening early with evidence-based education and awareness campaigns, the attorneys general believe communities can reduce the human and economic costs of substance abuse before addiction takes hold. The broad support for this approach demonstrates growing recognition that addressing the root causes of substance abuse requires a comprehensive strategy that begins with youth education.
