Hoosier Kids Feeling the Impact of Adult Substance Abuse

February 2016

Evansville, Indiana (WEVV) - There is a new, frightening reality for so many Hoosier kids.

New data from this year’s Kids Count

Indiana Data Book shows more than 204,000 children across Indiana are living with an adult who is suffering from either mental health issues or substance abuse problems.

“As we see drug and alcohol abuse on the rise across the state of Indiana, you have to worry

about the children living in those homes,” said Glenn Augustine, CEO of the Indiana Youth

Institute.

More than 13-percent of Hoosier kids are living in an environment where they’re exposed to

someone with a substance abuse problem. That’s above the national average of 10.7 percent,

and the 12th highest rate in the country.

“For the kids, you know, that makes them not have a stable life at home so they’re acting out in school or they have attitude issues, as far as talking back to adults or authority figures,” said Tim Chadwick, a Prevention Specialist at the AIDS Resource Group.

According to the data, one in 20 Hoosier children, or 5.3-percent, suffer from a serious behavior or conduct problem. That’s higher than the national rate of 3.2-percent and doesn’t include conditions like anxiety and depression. The study finds roughly 4-percent of kids in Indiana suffer from anxiety issues and about 3.1-percent are battling depression. Left untreated, these mental health issues may be with them well into adulthood. Experts say that’s where mental health and substance abuse intersect. Adolescents with mental health problems are at an increased risk of taking part in behaviors such as substance abuse.

"There are not enough professional people to treat mental health conditions or drug abuse

issues," Augustine said. "Sometimes those with mental health issues try to abuse a substance

as a way to self-medicate themselves."

It can be tough to find access to mental health care in the state. The data book shows Indiana has one mental health provider for every 750 Hoosiers and in some counties the ratio is even greater. Spencer County has one provider for every 6,981 residents but in the northwestern part of the state, Newton County has one mental health provider for every 14,087 residents.