Among 264,380 women investigated for child welfare in Ohio, substance-involved cases spiked from 32% to 42% in early 2020, driven primarily by increases in cannabis and polysubstance use.
Child welfare professionals, substance use researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in the pandemic's impact on parental substance use patterns.
What the researchers found
During the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the percentage of child welfare cases involving substance use jumped from 32.4% to 41.8%, with cannabis use notably driving this change. The spike was unique to 2020 and not seen in 2019, 2021, or 2022.
Why it matters
The pandemic created unprecedented stress for parents, and this data shows cannabis was a primary coping mechanism. Understanding these patterns helps child welfare systems prepare for future crises and target support appropriately.
The numbers in context
264,380 women investigated, 65,796 (24.9%) involved substance use. Cases jumped from 32.4% to 41.8% in week 10 of 2020, coinciding with the national emergency declaration.
How the study worked
Retrospective observational study of 264,380 female parents assessed for child abuse/neglect in Ohio (2019-2022), using changepoint analysis to identify shifts in substance involvement patterns.
What this study cannot tell us
Ohio-specific data may not generalize nationally. Only female parents included. Substance involvement is recorded at assessment, not necessarily verified. Cannot distinguish between harmful use and low-risk use.
How to read the evidence
Large administrative dataset with strong changepoint analysis methodology, though limited to one state and female parents only.
When this study was published
Recent analysis spanning 2019-2022, capturing the full arc of pandemic-era substance use patterns in child welfare.
The bigger picture
The intersection of parental cannabis use and child welfare is sensitive territory. This data shows cannabis use increased as a coping mechanism during crisis, highlighting the need for supportive rather than purely punitive responses.
Questions still open
- Did the increase in cannabis-involved cases reflect more actual use or more detection during pandemic-era assessments? How should child welfare systems respond to cannabis use in legalized states?
Common questions
Did the pandemic increase cannabis use among parents?
Does parental cannabis use mean child abuse?
Read the original research
Trends in substance use among child welfare-involved parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Child abuse & neglect, 166, 107487
Citation
Ye, Yun; Dellor, Elinam; Freisthler, Bridget. (2025). Trends in substance use among child welfare-involved parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.. Child abuse & neglect, 166, 107487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107487