Substance abuse can destroy both addicts and their families, and with the addiction crisis that’s sweeping every county in the state, a growing number of children are at risk.

‘The child feels like they’re alone. And they’re basically raising themselves,” said Frank Garris, community outreach worker for Family Support Organization of Essex County.

What’s more, the Department of Children and Families indicates that nearly one-third of all child abuse and neglect investigations uncovered a caregiver’s substance use. Nearly two-thirds of kids in foster care were removed from their homes at least partly for that reason.

Read the full story on NJTV Online News, a content partner of NJ Spotlight.