HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday joined a bipartisan coalition of 38 Attorneys General calling on Congress to pass the Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act, a federal bill that aims to reduce youth drug use through research-based public education and community outreach.
The bill would employ prevention methods proven to be effective in forming public service announcements and initiatives—produced by student peers—aimed at young people when they have first exposure to dangerous substances.
“Protecting children is a core function of the Office of Attorney General, and it is crucial that young people receive this positive messaging at a time when they are most impressionable. Without a doubt, the best way to solve a problem or crisis is to prevent it from happening,” Attorney General Sunday said. “As a father, I am well aware of the challenges and influences facing our children. We must do all we can to equip them with the tools they need to make healthy choices.”
The legislation, introduced by U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), would amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide targeted federal funding for public service announcements (PSAs), youth-led campaigns, and other outreach tools that help prevent early substance use.
All campaigns funded under the bill must be grounded in evidence, designed for cultural relevance, and adapted to meet the specific needs of local communities.
“This thoughtful and timely legislation represents a critical, evidence-based step toward reducing youth substance use through strategic public education and engagement,” write the attorneys general in a letter to Senate leadership.
The Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act would fund a range of efforts to better reach youth with timely, credible, and accessible information, including:
- Culturally relevant PSAs tailored specifically to youth
- Youth-led PSA contests to drive peer-to-peer engagement and creativity
- Federal grants for outreach across TV, radio, social media, streaming platforms, and other media
- Annual reporting requirements to measure reach and effectiveness, ensuring transparency and accountability
The coalition of attorneys general stressed that youth substance use remains a growing public health and public safety concern—especially in light of the rise in fentanyl-related overdoses and the increasing availability of synthetic drugs. Research consistently shows that individuals who begin using drugs at an early age are more likely to develop long-term substance use disorders, and the consequences can be devastating for families, schools, and communities.
In addition to Attorney General Sunday, the letter was signed by the Attorneys General of the following states and territories: Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
To read the letter, click here.
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