News Data points to youth with incarcerated parents at disproportionate risk

Researchers at CDHS analyzed data from the 2014 Delaware School Survey and found that 11th graders that have had at least one parent who is incarcerated were more likely to have: used alcohol and marijuana within the past year; used alcohol and marijuana within the past month; engaged in binge or heavy use of alcohol and marijuana compared to 11th graders who did not have an incarcerated parent. Youth with incarcerated parents were also more likely to have had problems in school as well as more instability in food and housing compared to youth without incarcerated parents (not shown in chart). The unique needs of youth with incarcerated parents present opportunities for community outreach and support to address these areas of risk and instability.