241. Eric Nation | Drug Endangered Children241. Eric Nation | Drug Endangered Children
High Truths on Drugs and Addiction
Drug Endangered Children - 1 in 8 children live with one or more caregiver with a substance use disorder in the United States. Millions of children and families are affected by parental or caregiver legal and or illegal substance misuse today. 759,000 children experienced a parental death due to drugs from 1999-2000. Dr. Lev discussed drug endangered children and solutions with Eric Nation. National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children Executive Director Eric Nation spent over 20 years in the field of law enforcement where he worked his way up to Lieutenant. As a Lieutenant, he led a large successful drug task force and started a countywide Drug Endangered Children Alliance. Mr. Nation came to National DEC to have a greater impact on law enforcement and other professionals by training and educating them on substance misuse and the impact to children. Mr. Nation was the Director of Training and Development where he helped develop curriculum and materials, worked with agencies across the country to provide trainings and technical assistance to professionals. Mr. Nation is also a national trainer on various topics including substance use, law enforcement, building multidisciplinary teams, capacity building, and drug trends. Mr. Nation is currently National DEC's Executive Director impacting change at a different level. Mr. Nation is very passionate about helping children and brings passion to every part of the work he does across the country.
45:08•4 Aug 2025
Protecting Drug Endangered Children: Solutions & Support
Episode Overview
- 1 in 8 children lives with a caregiver who has a substance use disorder.
- 759,000 children experienced parental drug-related deaths between 1999-2000.
- Early intervention can change the life trajectory of drug endangered children.
- DEC alliances aim to create review teams for opioid-related cases.
- Community support and partnerships are crucial for protecting vulnerable children.
“Every drug endangered child has a fork in the road that can affect the trajectory of their life.”
In this episode of High Truths on Drugs and Addiction, Dr. Roneet Lev delves into the pressing issue of drug endangered children in the United States. She is joined by Eric Nation, Executive Director of the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children, who brings over two decades of law enforcement experience to the discussion.
The episode sheds light on the alarming statistic that one in eight children lives with a caregiver suffering from substance use disorder, highlighting the widespread impact of both legal and illegal substance misuse on children and families. Dr. Lev and Eric Nation discuss the tragic fact that between 1999 and 2000, 759,000 children experienced the loss of a parent due to drug-related causes.
They emphasize the long-term consequences these children face, including the potential for entering a life of crime and drug misuse. However, they also highlight the opportunity for change through early identification and intervention, which can steer these children towards healthier and more productive futures. Eric Nation shares his personal journey in law enforcement and his commitment to supporting drug endangered children. He describes initiatives such as DEC alliances, which aim to create opioid fatal and non-fatal review teams.
These teams focus on ensuring that children are considered in opioid-related cases, promoting a holistic approach to tackling the crisis. The episode also explores community-oriented services and partnerships, such as COPS and OJJDP, which play vital roles in providing resources and support to affected children. Dr. Lev and Eric Nation stress the importance of federal funding and community collaboration to amplify efforts and protect the most innocent victims of substance misuse.
Listeners are encouraged to visit HighTruths.com for more information and to consider supporting Families Against Fentanyl, an organization committed to combating the illicit fentanyl supply chain. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, the podcast aims to foster positive change and safeguard future generations from the scourge of drug misuse.
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