Black History Month and Substance Use Prevention: Addressing Historical Disparities Through Family Conversations and Community Action

February 24, 2025

Black History Month 2025

February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the resilience, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans while also acknowledging the systemic challenges that have shaped their experiences, including longstanding health disparities resulting in heightened rates of chronic illness. This year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health (OMH) has declared the theme of Black History Month in 2025 to be “Advancing Commitments to Eliminate Health Disparities.” The department notes scientific evidence of the impact of health disparities, naming lower average life expectancy, higher infant mortality, and more frequent hospital admissions of uncontrolled diabetes as three of the most notable health outcomes divided among race and ethnicity. However, the disparities extend far beyond these three health outcomes, affecting nearly every aspect of Black health, including mental health, access to treatment, and substance use disorders (SUDs).

Like other disparities in health outcomes, the disproportionate burden of SUDs in Black communities is rooted in historical inequities, including limited access to healthcare, targeted criminalization, and socioeconomic disparities. Addressing these disparities requires prevention strategies that not only acknowledge historical injustices but also empower families to take an active role in guiding youth toward healthier choices. One of the most powerful tools in preventing substance use among Black youth is open, honest communication with parents and caregivers.

Historical Disparities in Substance Use and Chronic Illness

Substance use trends within the Black American community have been significantly influenced by structural factors. Historically, Black communities have faced higher rates of criminalization for drug-related offenses, opioid overdose fatalities, and chronic illnesses linked to substance use, all while simultaneously experiencing limited access to treatment for SUDs.

An article from the National Library of Medicine points to “an unprecedented increase in incarceration among African American males since 1970,” highlighting that Black American males make up 38% of the population in jails nationwide, while only representing 14% of the nation’s population.  The overrepresentation of Black American males in the prison system illustrates the deep-rooted racial disparities in criminal justice and mean increased exposure to environments where substance use is prevalent and experiencing multiplicatively higher risks of mental health struggles and barriers to accessing employment and housing post-incarceration.

In addition to the legal consequences of substance use, chronic illnesses linked to substance use, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disorders are also more likely to harm members of Black communities. Social determinants of health, including limited access to quality healthcare, lower rates of insurance coverage, and implicit biases in medical treatment, exacerbate these health disparities.

Black Americans also experience disproportionately high rates of opioid overdose fatalities. Data shows that Black opioid overdose fatalities exceed their white counterparts by 4-6 times. Additionally, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) notes that of the 41 million Americans needing treatment for a substance use disorder each year, Black individuals receive treatment only 18.6% of the time.

The combination of these factors underscores the urgent need for prevention efforts now more than ever, ensuring that Black youth are equipped with the knowledge and support to avoid substance use and mitigate the risks of harm before onset. Addressing these disparities requires prevention strategies that not only acknowledge historical injustices but also empower families to take an active role in guiding youth toward healthier choices.

The Power of Prevention Through Parent-Youth Conversations

One of the most effective ways to reduce youth substance use is through early, open, and culturally relevant conversations within the home. Research has consistently shown that parental engagement plays a significant role in the likelihood of youth engaging in substance use. When Black parents and caregivers communicate openly with their children about substance use risks, racial disparities, and coping strategies, they not only break down cultural barriers of stigmatization, but additionally equip them with the knowledge and resilience to make healthier choices.

The Prevention Team at PEER Services notes that key strategies for effective parent-youth discussions on substance use include:

  1. Starting Early and Being Consistent: Conversations about substance use should begin in childhood and continue through adolescence, adapting to the child’s developmental stage.
  2. Framing Discussions Around Empowerment: Highlighting personal and community strengths, rather than solely focusing on risks, helps youth understand that avoiding substance use is a choice that supports their well-being and future goals.
  3. Addressing Racial Disparities Openly: Discussing the historical and systemic challenges Black communities face can help youth contextualize societal influences while reinforcing the importance of making informed decisions.
  4. Encouraging Open Dialogue: Creating a safe space for youth to ask questions and express concerns fosters trust and increases the likelihood that they will seek guidance when facing substance-related pressures.

Community Action: Strengthening Collective Support for Black Families

While family engagement is a powerful tool for prevention, systemic disparities additionally require broader community action to create impactful change. Community members, organizations, and policymakers can take several steps to further promote equity and reduce substance use disparities by:

  1. Advocating for Equitable Access: Supporting policies that expand access to culturally competent and affordable services ensure that Black families receive necessary prevention and treatment services.
  2. Strengthening Community-Based Prevention Programs: Advocating for school-based prevention education programs and safe recreational spaces for afterschool programs provides protective factors that reduce youth exposure to substance use.
  3. Training and Educating Local Leaders: Equipping educators, faith leaders, health care providers, first responders, and community organizers with knowledge about cross-cultural substance use disparities and culturally relevant prevention strategies enhances the support networks available to Black families. Reach out to a the prevention team at PEER Services at prevention@peerservices.org to learn more about tailored education programs for diverse community audiences.
  4. Promoting Criminal Justice Reform: Advocating for alternatives to incarceration for substance use offenses, such as recovery programs and restorative justice initiatives, helps reduce the disproportionate impact of punitive drug policies on Black communities. Organizations like the National Black Harm Reduction Network work in policy advocacy to reduce the effects of structural racism manifesting as criminalization of substance use and mental illness.
  5. Reducing Stigma Around Substance Use: Encouraging open conversations about mental health and substance use within Black communities and increasing the celebration of Black individuals in recovery can create a culture of understanding and support. Find out more about the science of addiction and take the pledge to combat stigma at https://www.safeproject.us/noshame-mental-health-addiction.

In Conclusion,

In Conclusion, Black History Month serves as an opportunity not only to honor past struggles and achievements but also to address ongoing challenges such as substance use and health disparities. By recognizing the historical inequities that have contributed to these disparities and empowering Black parents to engage in meaningful discussions with their children, we can foster a future where Black youth are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to make healthy choices. Investing in family-centered prevention strategies is an essential step toward reducing substance use disparities and promoting long-term community well-being. For more resources on how to foster essential and effective prevention conversations with the youth in your life, visit our website for parents at peerservices.org/for-parents.

PEER Services is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and strives to manifest these values throughout our programs and services; in our interactions with all clients, community members, and other constituents; and within our team, including staff and board members. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, reach out to a member of our team today at 847-492-1778.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the resources offered by PEER Services, please reach out to us at contact@peerservices.org

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