Substance use and dependency has increased during the pandemic. With the impact on children’s mental health and the feeling of isolation, experts say this a perfect storm for substance use in children to rise. The sooner the issue and underlying causes are addressed, the better chance children have warding off bigger substance problems and effects in the future.

Molly Pellettiere, substance use counselor at Saint Luke's Crittenton Children’s Center, talks to KCTV about how the increase of substance use among children during the pandemic is impacting their mental health and future. 

 

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