Polysubstance use is defined broadly as using two or more psychoactive substances. Simultaneous polysubstance use refers to the concurrent use of multiple substances. Separate polysubstance use refers to the use of muliple substances over a period, such as 12 months or the past 30 days. Nationally and in Colorado, alcohol and marijuana are the substances most commonly used in the past month. Overdose deaths due to methamphetamine and heroin were the...

Psychotropic medication are often prescribed to treat challenging behaviors and mental health issues. While necessary in some cases, numerous studies have demonstrated that the rates of psychotropic medication prescriptions are disproportionately high among children in foster care.