Drug use often leads to violence; separation of parents and children; loss of jobs; feelings of hopelessness; serious money problems; single parenthood and worry over childcare needs; harmful relationships; emotional and behavioral difficulties in children; and dangerous driving that can result in the death of the drug user, family members, or innocent travelers on the road.
In 2007, 53 percent of prisoners in Federal and State prisons reported having children under the age of 18.[ix] Children with parents who use drugs and abuse alcohol are widely considered at high risk for a range of physical and behavioral problems, including substance use. Juvenile justice systems are also affected; as many as two-thirds of juveniles who have been detained may have a substance use disorder.