Over Half of American Parents of Minors are Worried About Missing the Warning Signs of Potential Drug Use by Their Children, New National Survey Reveals

The Victoria's Voice Foundation/Harris Poll Survey Also Shows Over Half of All Parents Do Not Know that Naloxone is Available Without a Prescription, While Only About 1 in 5 Possess the Lifesaving Opioid Overdose Reversal Medicine in Event of an Emergency 

Survey Released to Coincide with Back-to-School Season

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A majority of U.S. parents with children younger than age 18 (51%) are concerned about missing the warning signs of potential drug use by their kids, according to a new survey conducted by The Harris Poll, among over 1,200 U.S. parents –including those with adult children – on behalf of Victoria's Voice Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing drug education and prevention support for families.

The national poll also found that parents' overall knowledge regarding naloxone – the lifesaving opioid overdose reversal medication – is low, despite increased public awareness efforts and availability of the overdose antidote in recent years. In fact, more than half of parents (53%) were unaware that naloxone can be obtained without a prescription.

Naloxone, commonly sold over the counter (OTC) under the brand name NARCAN^® Nasal Spray, is a critical tool in preventing fatal opioid overdoses – and is credited with helping drive the recent 27% decline in U.S. drug overdose deaths. Naloxone helps restore normal breathing in a person experiencing an opioid overdose. It is safe, easy to administer and non-addictive – and designed for use by bystanders and responders alike. Naloxone was approved by the FDA for OTC use in 2023.

Additionally, the poll revealed that about one in five parents (22%) have naloxone on hand in the event of an overdose. With nearly 40% of fatal overdoses occurring in the presence of someone else – according to the CDC – it is especially important that parents have naloxone at the ready and know how to use it to save their child's life in case of an overdose.

"These findings underscore the point that we still have so much work to do in educating parents about youth drug prevention, preparedness and emergency response," said Jackie Siegel, who co-founded Victoria's Voice with her late husband, David Siegel, after losing their daughter, Victoria, 18, to an accidental drug overdose in 2015.

Siegel added: "When parents recognize the warning signs and have naloxone on hand, they become the first line of defense in protecting not just their own kids but other young people in their community. We must ensure that all parents are equipped with the knowledge and tools to help their children stay drug-free and prevent families from enduring the same grief that my family and I still carry every day."

Victoria's Voice is dedicated to drug awareness and prevention and saving lives from overdose. To date, the foundation has positively impacted over 1.5 million children and parents through its education programs, including its live school speaker series and its VITAL SIGNS, which helps parents recognize the early signs of drug use in kids – which the Siegels missed with Victoria.

"As policing professionals, we too often see the devastating impact of drug use after it's too late. This survey reinforces that prevention begins at home, with parents recognizing the signs and keeping naloxone close at hand," said Seminole County (FL) Sheriff Dennis Lemma, a statewide and national leader on responding to and preventing overdoses, and a Victoria's Voice board member.

Lemma added: "Our responsibility goes beyond enforcement: it's about empowering families with the tools and knowledge to protect their children. When parents are prepared, lives are saved."

The survey results are being released timed to back-to-school season.

Link to full survey here.

Victoria's Voice plans to conduct more research in the future.

Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Victoria's Voice from August 12 - 14, 2025 among 1,230 parents, including those with adult children. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 3.4 percentage points using a 95% confidence level.

For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, click here.

About Victoria's Voice Foundation
David and Jackie Siegel established Victoria's Voice Foundation after losing their 18-year-old daughter to an accidental drug overdose on June 6, 2015. Victoria's Voice is dedicated to providing support and resources to families affected by substance use. Since its founding, Victoria's Voice has positively impacted over 1.5 million parents and children through its education programs. For more information, visit www.victoriasvoice.org or @victoriasvoicefoundation. #VictoriasVoiceFoundation #GetGiveSave. 

SOURCE Victoria's Voice Foundation