Attorney General Phil Weiser supports bipartisan legislation to prevent youth substance use

May 22, 2025 (DENVER) – Attorney General Phil Weiser joined a bipartisan coalition of 39 attorneys general in urging Congress to pass the Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act, a bill that would fund research-based public education campaigns to reduce youth drug use and prevent future substance use disorders.

The bill, sponsored by U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), would amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to support culturally relevant public services announcements, youth-led campaigns, and other prevention strategies tailored to meet the needs of local communities.

“This legislation empowers states like Colorado to strengthen our prevention strategies and fight back against the dangers of early substance use with credible and effective public education,” said Attorney General Weiser. “We know that when young people have access to trusted information and are engaged in positive, supportive environments, they are more likely to make healthy decisions. Colorado is leading on this front with our Connect Effect campaign, helping schools and communities across our state educate youth, support mental health, and curb vaping and substance use. This legislation would enhance those efforts by providing consistent and proven support at the national level.”

If enacted, the legislation would fund youth-focused PSAs, peer-led outreach contests, and prevention campaigns on TV, radio, streaming platforms, and social media. Grantees would also be required to submit annual reports detailing campaign reach and effectiveness to ensure transparency and measurable outcomes.

Youth substance use continues to be a pressing public health and safety issue, despite a decline in fentanyl-related overdoses. Studies show that those who begin using drugs at a young age are significantly more likely to develop long-term substance use disorders.

Today’s announcement builds on Attorney General Weiser’s broader work to protect youth wellbeing across Colorado:

  • To date, he has secured $871 million for Colorado through national opioid settlements. Funds from those settlement support, in part, the Connect Effect Colorado campaign (opens new tab), a statewide educational initiative that uses positive messaging to highlight that most teens are making healthy choices and are not misusing prescription pills.
  • In 2021, Attorney General Weiser launched the Healthy Youth/Strong Colorado Fund in partnership with Rocky Mountain Health Plans, providing $5 million to support youth mental health and empowerment programs.
  • In 2023, Colorado received $31.7 million from a national settlement with JUUL Labs, Inc., following a lawsuit Attorney General Weiser brought against the company for marketing to children. So far, $17.4 million from that settlement has been awarded to 42 schools, local governments, and nonprofit organizations to combat youth vaping.

Read the letter from the attorneys general to Congress (PDF).

Joining Attorney General Weiser in signing the letter are the attorneys general of Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, 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, Utah, Vermont, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

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Media Contact:
Mallory Boyce
Communications Specialist
720-508-6787 (office) | 720-219-1898 (cell)
Mallory.Boyce@coag.gov