The initiative is aimed at children of drug addicts in order to break the vicious circle of drug abuse

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Children are the first to suffer and the last to get help.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, between 2015 and 2019, more than 21 million children in the U.S. lived with a drug-addicted family member. These children are more likely to suffer from behavioral, mental and emotional problems that can lead to a life of substance abuse.

But a Palm Beach County organization is trying to change that.

The Hanley Foundation in West Palm Beach tries to reach these at-risk children early to prevent them from falling into substance abuse.

In about a month. Is the first of hopefully many monthly clinics to make this possible.

The three-day clinic is hosted by the Hanley Foundation in collaboration with the National Association for Children of Addiction (NACoA).

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Experts say addiction to CBS12 News is often generational. To break the cycle, target the children of those who abuse drugs while the children are young National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics By age 12, at least half of children have tried illegal drugs at least once.

We want to reach these boys and girls before they take their first drink or drug because they are genetically at risk.

“We want to reach these boys and girls before they take their first drink or drug because they are at genetic risk,” said Jerry Moe, the NACoA’s chief clinical advisor. “Then there are more risks because of the trauma. So if we teach them some solid life skills and help them… and help the family recover, they may be less likely to experiment with drugs or alcohol at such a young age.”

Moe also created the Sesame Street character Karli, whose family struggles with addiction.

Experts at the clinic will educate children about addiction in an age-appropriate manner. They also hope to help them heal and understand that their parent or family member’s addiction is not their fault.

“So as a child, if we can uncover that and help them understand that they are not the problem, that they are not in control, and that they are not in control of the addiction and that it is not their fault, that opens the door World, a lifelong opportunity for them.” Dr. John Dybenthe Hanley Foundation’s director of research and innovation told CBS12 News.

In some cases, these children had to take on adult roles at home. So experts tell me that this clinic will also provide these children with a safe place to just be a child.

The clinic serves children ages 7 to 12 who have a family member in rehab, currently living with a family member suffering from a substance use disorder, or a family member recovering from drug addiction. The clinic will take place from December 13, 2024 to December 15, 2024.

Click here to learn more about the clinic or to register for the clinic.

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