Opioid use disorder impacts individuals, children, families, and communities across Kentucky. For many families, substance use is connected to complex experiences such as stress, trauma, isolation, grief, economic hardship, and limited access to support.
Because opioid use disorder can affect the safety, stability, and well-being of entire family systems, prevention requires a compassionate, community-centered response. By approaching these challenges with understanding rather than stigma, we can help strengthen the supports families need to heal, connect, and thrive.
Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky works in collaboration with our Partners across the Commonwealth to advance prevention through advocacy, awareness, education, and training. These materials support that work by helping caregivers, professionals, and community partners strengthen protective factors, promote family well-being, and help ensure Kentucky’s children grow up in safe, healthy environments.
This documentary explores the impact of opioid use disorder on families and communities, while highlighting hope, resilience, and the role we all play in supporting children and caregivers.
Opioid use disorder can affect people of any age, race, income, education level, or background, including someone we know and love. Understanding this helps reduce stigma and reminds us that substance use disorder is a health condition, not a personal failure.
Opioid use disorder is a treatable health condition. With access to treatment, recovery supports, and community resources, many people successfully manage OUD and rebuild stability, connection, and well-being in their lives.
Recovery is possible, and many people are living proof. Research shows that 7 in 10 adults who have experienced a substance use condition consider themselves to be in recovery.
Communities are helping create hope by expanding prevention strategies, increasing access to treatment, raising awareness, and reducing stigma. These efforts support individuals and families on the path to healing and help strengthen safer, healthier environments for children.
These resources are available to support education, outreach, training, and community conversations. They may be useful for families, professionals, schools, faith communities, health providers, family-serving organizations, and Partners in Prevention.
For Caregivers & Families
For Professionals
For Media & Outreach
