Reducing youth drug use through education and engagement.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 5, 2025) – Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced he’s urging the U.S. Congress to dedicate additional federal resources to youth substance use prevention. In a letter sent to U.S. Congressional leaders signed by attorneys general from 36 states, General Coleman urged passage of the Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act as an important and evidence-based step toward reducing youth drug use through education and engagement.
“Showing young Kentuckians that their lives are better without drugs is one of the best ways we can help them have the opportunity to fulfill their potential,” said Attorney General Coleman. “Just like we’re promoting youth prevention here in Kentucky through the ‘Better Without It’ initiative, Congress has the chance to invest in programs to build a stronger, healthier future for the Commonwealth.”
The federal legislation would authorize federal grant programs for youth-focused advertisements that warn of the dangers of deadly drugs and the promise of a healthy lifestyle.
Earlier this year, General Coleman launched the ‘Better Without It’ campaign, a first-of-its-kind, youth-centered drug prevention program. With $3.6 million from the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission (KYOAAC) the Commonwealth is teaming up with student athletes, influencers and other stakeholders across Kentucky, through NIL deals and other partnerships, to promote a positive message about a drug-free lifestyle.
Last September, the KYOAAC unanimously approved the Attorney General's two-year, $3.6 million proposal to establish the research-backed youth education campaign. You can read those remarks here.
Read the letter.
General Coleman joined the letter along with the attorneys general from Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
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