Providing Help, Hope, & Support Since 2003
The National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (National DEC) is the only national nonprofit dedicated to supporting professionals and communities addressing the impact of substance misuse on children and families.
Our Goal: Break generational cycles of substance misuse, reduce childhood trauma, and improve the overall health and well-being of children and communities across the U.S.
Founded in 2003, National DEC builds awareness and provides tools to break the cycle of substance misuse.
- What We Do:
- Train and support multi-disciplinary teams to identify and assist drug-endangered children.
- Develop DEC Alliances at the local, state, regional, and tribal levels across all 50 States in the U.S..
- Promote trauma-informed practices to reduce trauma and improve outcomes for children and families.
- National DEC provides resources, training, and support to the thousands of professionals working to give children hope, help, and a brighter future.
Get Involved
Celebrating More Than 30 Years of DEC Efforts
In 1993, Sue Webber-Brown recognized the connection between child abuse cases and illicit drugs and created the first DEC program in Butte County, California. Since then, DEC alliances have evolved across all 50 states. In 2003, The National Alliance for Drug-Endangered Children was formed, uniting these efforts and creating standardized processes for identification and intervention with local and state agencies to help communities and families deal with the trauma of addiction.
Given the current opioid crisis, these efforts have never been more important.
A Word From Our Executive Director
Eric has been with the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (National DEC) for over 13 years serving as the Director of Training and Development. In July of 2024, Eric accepted the position of Executive Director. With over 20 years in law enforcement, even serving as a Lieutenant over a drug task force, he is uniquely qualified to lead the efforts to ensure children impacted by substance misuse across the nation receive the help, hope and support that they need.
“I have been with National DEC for over 13 years and am honored to now be taking the helm as the Executive Director of this incredible organization. 1 in 8 children live with one or more caregivers with a substance use disorder in the United States. Children are often the first impacted and last to receive services.
We have the opportunity to do things differently, it’s time we all work to change the trajectory of drug endangered children’s lives. Together, I know we will continue to create lasting change and improve the lives of children and families affected by substance misuse.” – Eric Nation, Executive Director
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