1. Drug abuse

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 130 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids every day. And the National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows that over 8.3 million children under the age of 18 live in a household where at least one parent is addicted to drugs or alcohol. Addiction hurts everyone but children of addicts are hurt the worst. Children of addicts experience emotional and psychological damage and trauma.

While there isn't an easy answer or solution to this issue, legislators should be working on ways to help victims of drug abuse.

2. Homelessness

According to statistics, the main cause of youth homelessness is physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse from parents or guardians.

3. Hate crimes and gun violence

Over the past two decades, we have seen many school shootings and shootings in other public areas. Every time, people argue over what should be done to mitigate the issue, but nothing has really been done, or been effective.

4. Sexual violence

A lot of attention has been brought to sexual assault and violence recently, but it is an ongoing epidemic. There are many victims who are under the age of 14, and yet many turn a blind eye to the signs.

5. Birth mortality rates

6. The immigrant/refugee crisis and family separations at the border.

7. Access to healthcare

8. Children living in poverty

9. Foster care and the US adoption system

10. Climate change

11. Food security

12. Access to and quality of education

13. Mental health

14. Exposure to violence

Recently, I watched a prison documentary. One of the young teens who was in the prison commented on his youth and how he had seen people he knew gunned down in his neighborhood at a young age. It was a reminder of how your environment can affect your future.

15. Youth suicide