By Jamelia Hand C.E.O
The first time I witnessed my own father overdose, I was alone with him. I remember feeling terrified, helpless, and desperate because I didn’t know how to help. The image of that moment is something I carry with me, a painful reminder of how isolating addiction can be for everyone involved, especially children. Looking back, I can’t help but wonder how different it might have been if I had known what to do. Overdose training as a child could have empowered me to act in that moment.
At Vantage Clinical Consulting, we know how much this crisis affects children. These young people are more aware than we may realize, and they deserve to be equipped with the tools to protect themselves and their loved ones. They expect more from us, and we’re committed to listening to them and advocating for their voices in the overdose prevention conversation. For us, educating and training is not only empowering but also healing- helping young people face the reality of addiction with knowledge, resilience, and confidence.
Why Overdose Education Matters for Young Children
As adults, we often underestimate the awareness young children have of their surroundings, especially when it comes to issues like substance use. In homes and communities affected by the opioid epidemic, children are keenly aware of drug use around them. They see the signs, notice behavioral changes in loved ones, and hear conversations that reveal far more than adults may realize. Yet, while we have extensive research on how addiction impacts adults, there is still little research on how the opioid crisis affects children.
What we do know is that family members, including children, will go to great lengths to support loved ones struggling with substance use disorders. Unfortunately, children are often unprepared for the gravity of these situations and can be left traumatized by witnessing the effects of addiction firsthand. Today, overdose prevention programs and harm reduction strategies are reaching younger audiences, with some programs teaching children how to recognize and respond to overdoses. This has led to heated debates on the appropriateness of teaching overdose reversal skills to children. But when we consider the alternative- leaving them powerless in situations that could turn tragic- it becomes clear that empowering kids to help save lives may be one of the most compassionate steps we can take.
Understanding Children’s Awareness of Substance Use
Children are observant. They pick up on changes in behavior, altered moods, and even the subtle cues that accompany substance use in their homes or communities. When adults underestimate their awareness, children are left without the guidance to process what they see, often internalizing confusion, fear, or guilt. For children who witness the effects of addiction, the absence of education can lead to feelings of helplessness, especially when a loved one experiences an overdose.
Studies show that children in households affected by substance use are at higher risk for emotional and behavioral issues, academic struggles, and trauma-related symptoms. But these risks can be mitigated if we provide children with appropriate education and emotional support. Understanding the signs of overdose and knowing how to seek help can empower them to take action if a loved one is in danger and possibly prevent them from enduring the traumatic grief that comes with losing someone to an overdose.
Overdose Reversal Education for Kids: The Controversy and the Benefits
Teaching children how to recognize and respond to an overdose, including administering naloxone (an opioid overdose reversal drug), is controversial. Critics argue that it places a heavy burden on young shoulders and may expose children to situations they are too young to handle. However, the reality is that many children are already exposed to these situations, whether or not they are given tools to respond.
Rather than leaving them powerless, overdose education gives children a way to channel their awareness into action. With the right training, children can save lives, and having the knowledge and skills to do so may actually reduce trauma by providing a sense of agency. Children trained to respond to overdoses are not only prepared for emergencies but may also experience less fear and confusion in the face of their loved one’s struggles.
Empowering Kids: Why Overdose Education is About More Than Safety
Providing overdose education to kids is not just about safety- it’s about resilience, empathy, and empowerment. Teaching children the basics of overdose recognition and response can help them understand that addiction is a health issue, not a moral failing. This perspective can foster empathy toward loved ones while reducing the stigma and shame often associated with addiction.
When children are taught to recognize and respond to overdose signs, they gain a sense of control, knowing they can act in a crisis. This can reduce feelings of helplessness and build resilience. Recognizing addiction as an illness fosters empathy and can reduce the cycle of shame that addiction often creates in families. Learning how and when to reach out for help reinforces that they are not alone and encourages open communication about difficult topics.
Empowering children in this way gives them the tools to navigate complex situations with clarity and confidence, helping to reduce the potential trauma associated with addiction-related emergencies.
Teaching Overdose Response: What an Age-Appropriate Approach Looks Like
Education on overdose response doesn’t need to burden children with the full responsibility of saving lives. Instead, programs can offer age-appropriate information, focusing on recognizing signs of distress, calling for help, and understanding what naloxone is and how it’s used.
Simple explanations of overdose symptoms, such as not being able to wake someone up or noticing irregular breathing, can equip kids to identify emergencies without overwhelming them. Teaching kids how to call 911, what to say, and why quick response matters reinforces that the first step is always to get help. For older children, understanding what naloxone does and knowing where it’s kept can prepare them without requiring them to administer it unless they feel capable.
Programs tailored to children can emphasize that they are never solely responsible and that their role is to seek help and stay safe. By focusing on these manageable actions, we give children the knowledge they need while respecting their developmental readiness.
The Greater Impact: Reducing Stigma and Building Resilience in Families
Equipping children with overdose response skills has the potential to shift family dynamics in powerful ways. When children understand addiction as a health issue, it encourages more open and supportive communication within families. This approach doesn’t just protect children in the moment- it builds resilience for the future, creating a generation better prepared to address and empathize with issues of addiction and mental health.
Education and empowerment must be coupled with emotional support. Counselors, social workers, and family members can play a crucial role by providing a safe space for children to express their feelings, ask questions, and receive reassurance. Normalizing conversations around addiction and overdose within families helps children feel less isolated and more connected to a support network that understands their experience.
It’s Time to Empower Kids
In a world where the opioid crisis affects entire communities, empowering children to respond with knowledge and empathy is a step toward breaking cycles of trauma and stigma. Overdose reversal training for kids, when done thoughtfully and with respect for their developmental stage, can save lives and spare them from the pain of losing someone they love. Teaching kids these skills isn’t about placing undue responsibility on them- it’s about giving them tools to protect themselves and those around them in a way that fosters resilience and understanding.
As society continues to address the opioid crisis, it’s crucial that we include children in these conversations. Instead of shielding them from reality, let’s empower them to face it with courage, compassion, and confidence. In doing so, we create a foundation for healthier, more supportive communities and families prepared to handle addiction with empathy and strength.
At Vantage Clinical Consulting, we believe that young people deserve to be heard, prepared, and supported as we collectively work toward a healthier future.
About Jamelia Hand, CEO of Vantage Clinical Consulting LLC.
Jamelia Hand is the CEO and founder of Vantage Clinical Consulting LLC, bringing over 23 years of expertise in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, mental health services, and harm reduction strategies. Her personal experiences with addiction within her own family have fueled her commitment to creating compassionate, evidence-based solutions that empower families, communities, and healthcare providers.
Jamelia’s work focuses on training, compliance, and advocacy, ensuring that providers have the tools they need to offer comprehensive and empathetic care to individuals and families affected by addiction. Through Vantage Clinical Consulting, she is dedicated to advancing education and support around the opioid crisis, with a strong emphasis on empowering the next generation to face addiction with resilience, understanding, and hope.
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