Partnership to End Addiction

What Partnership to End Addiction does

Partnership to End Addiction is a national nonprofit headquartered in New York City that provides free, confidential support, education, and clinical resources to families affected by substance use among teens and young adults. Formed in January 2019 through the merger of Center on Addiction and Partnership for Drug-Free Kids (with organizational heritage dating to 1985), the organization operates a multi-channel direct-to-consumer platform anchored by a toll-free helpline (855-378-4373), SMS shortcode (55753), email support, online peer-support groups, and the drugfree.org content library, serving millions of families and professionals nationwide. Its product portfolio includes proprietary digital programs such as BabySTEPs (a text-based helpline for pregnant and postpartum individuals in low-income and minority communities), EndOD/SPIKE (automated overdose-spike text alerts deployed with state and county health departments), RxAware, Help & Hope by Text (personalized SMS support), and a substance use risk assessment tool, alongside the Heart of the Matter podcast hosted by journalist Elizabeth Vargas and paid professional training modules delivered via self-paced, live virtual, and in-person formats.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit model: contributed revenue comes from foundation grants (e.g., $300K three-year grant from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation for BabySTEPs), government grants and contracts (NIH, Public Health Service), corporate contributions (excluding opioid manufacturers named in the Ohio MDL), and individual donations. Earned revenue is generated through paid professional training courses, educational content, and custom enterprise solutions for healthcare and prevention organizations. All core family-facing services — helpline, text support, online support groups, assessments, and educational content — are free to end users, with a freemium-like architecture layering paid professional training and business services on top. The organization employs a community-led, direct-to-consumer go-to-market motion with a nationwide reach, mobilizing families, policymakers, researchers, and healthcare professionals to address addiction at a systemic level, while expanding targeted digital programs into adjacent demographics such as pregnant/postpartum individuals and older adults.

Name

Partnership to End Addiction

Legal name

Partnership to End Addiction

Website

https://drugfree.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Partnership to End Addiction is a national nonprofit that provides free, confidential support, digital tools, and educational resources to families affected by teen and young adult substance use, and paid professional training to healthcare providers, serving millions across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Substance Use Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (62142), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Substance Use Disorder Prevention & Recovery Services (BPAGACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO), Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN), Substance Use Prevention & Recovery Services (EDALAFAE), Parent Support Groups & Peer Networks (EDACALAG)

Keywords

• Addiction support services
• Substance use prevention
• Family helpline services
• Mental health resources
• Addiction recovery programs

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants: Funding from foundations supporting research, programs, and operational activities. Examples include the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation grant of $300,000 over three years for the BabySTEPs program.
2. Government Grants and Contracts: Government funding from federal agencies including NIH for peer-reviewed research and Public Health Service (PHS) grants. The majority of research is government-funded and subject to NIH guidelines.
3. Corporate Contributions: Financial support from corporations. The organization states it accepts support from pharmaceutical companies aligned with its mission, while declining funding from opioid manufacturers identified as defendants in the Ohio multidistrict litigation.
4. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the mission to transform how the nation addresses addiction. Donations provide vital services and resources for families.
5. Paid Training and Educational Content: In addition to free content (newsletters, educational videos, parent resources, assessments), the Partnership offers paid trainings, educational courses, materials, and videos for professionals and organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Partnership to End Addiction is a national nonprofit that provides free, confidential support to families impacted by youth substance use and addiction. Its core offerings include a multi-channel Family Helpline (phone, text, email), personalized text-messaging programs (Help & Hope by Text, BabySTEPs), online support groups, a substance use risk assessment tool, and professional training for clinicians and prevention providers.

Product overview

Partnership to End Addiction operates as a national nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of interconnected digital support services, educational resources, and professional tools for families and communities addressing substance use among teens and young adults. The core product portfolio centers on the Family Helpline (phone, text, email support), Help & Hope by Text (personalized SMS program), Substance Use Risk Assessment tool, and Online Support Groups. Additional services include the BabySTEPs digital helpline for pregnant/postpartum individuals, Prevention & Early Action resources, Treatment & Recovery resources, a Drug Information & Facts guide, Family Stories testimonials, the Heart of the Matter podcast hosted by Elizabeth Vargas, professional training programs, evidence-based research, policy advocacy, and multiple resource centers. The organization functions as a platform-plus-modules architecture, combining direct family support services with professional/clinical tools and educational content, all accessible through the drugfree.org website and SMS/text channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BabySTEPs: A digital helpline for pregnant and postpartum individuals facing substance use challenges, offering confidential text-based support.
• Heart of the Matter Podcast
• EndOD / SPIKE
• Help & Hope by Text

Products and services

• Family Helpline Free, confidential telephone (855-378-4373), text messaging (55753), and email support connecting families with trained specialists to address their child's substance use challenges. Text and email inquiries receive a response within 24 hours.
• Help & Hope by Text Personalized text messaging service that delivers tailored tips, tools, and resources to parents and caregivers at every stage of supporting a child through substance use challenges. Accessible by texting 55753.
• Substance Use Risk Assessment (Prevention Check-Up) Free, confidential online tool that assesses a child's substance use risk and provides tailored guidance for parents and caregivers.
• Online Support Groups Virtual peer support groups for parents and caregivers of individuals struggling with substance use, providing community connection and shared experiences.
• BabySTEPs Digital Helpline Digital helpline providing confidential text-based support for pregnant and postpartum individuals facing substance use challenges, designed to reduce stigma and improve early intervention outcomes in low-income and minority communities.
• Professional Training Programs Paid training modules and educational courses for providers, clinicians, educators, and youth-serving professionals. Available via self-paced, live virtual, and in-person delivery options. Custom solutions offered through the business services team.
• SPIKE / EndOD Overdose Alert Text Program Automated text messaging system that notifies communities when drug overdoses spike, enabling rapid public health response. Implemented in partnership with state and county health departments including Maine (first statewide rollout), Oneida County NY, Chemung County NY, and South Carolina.
• RxAware Pilot Program Pilot program designed to curb opioid misuse and educate the public about safe medication practices, coordinated in partnership with local organizations including Kentucky UNITE and South Carolina.

Quantifiable outcome

• BabySTEPs provides confidential text-based support specifically designed to reduce stigma and improve early intervention outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals in low-income and minority communities.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.

• Partnership for a Drug-Free New JerseycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026Partnership to End Addiction is collaborating with Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey on the 2nd Annual NJ Healthy Aging Summit on Opioid Safety & Alternatives, scheduled for June 5, 2026, in Atlantic City. The summit addresses rising opioid misuse among older adults, who recorded the highest suspected overdose deaths (278) of any age group in New Jersey in 2025. Building on the inaugural 2025 event that drew over 400 participants, the summit features expert speakers, evidence-based alternatives to pain management, and resources for healthy aging.
• Oneida County (NY) Health DepartmentregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerOneida County, NY implemented Partnership to End Addiction's SPIKE/EndOD automated text messaging program to warn residents when drug overdoses spike in the community. The county is part of a pilot program demonstrating the organization's reach into state and local public health systems.
• Maine Department of HealthregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaine became the first state in the U.S. to roll out Partnership to End Addiction's statewide overdose alert text messaging program (EndOD/SPIKE), sending automated text alerts when drug overdoses spike. This flagship state-level implementation demonstrates the program's scalability and impact.
• UNITE (Kentucky)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNITE in Kentucky coordinated the RxAware pilot program in partnership with Partnership to End Addiction, designed to curb opioid misuse and educate the public about safe medication practices.
• SAFE GC Coalition (New York)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAFE GC Coalition in Glencove, New York references Partnership to End Addiction in its community initiative encouraging residents to safely dispose of medications.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Shatterproof: National nonprofit focused on addiction treatment access, evidence-based standards, and family support. Directly comparable as a peer national nonprofit addressing the addiction crisis through advocacy, education, and family resources.
• The Jed Foundation (JED): National nonprofit focused on teen and young adult mental health and substance use prevention. Comparable in target demographic (teens/young adults), mission (prevention and early intervention), and nonprofit distribution model serving schools and families.
• SAFE Project: National nonprofit addressing the addiction epidemic through prevention, treatment access, and family support programs. Comparable mission and family-facing service orientation, with overlap in the addiction support ecosystem.
• Al-Anon Family Groups: Long-standing mutual-support organization providing peer support groups to families and friends of individuals with addiction. Directly comparable as the historic incumbent in family-focused addiction peer support, with which the Partnership's online support groups compete for caregiver attention.
• SMART Recovery Family & Friends: National nonprofit offering self-empowering addiction recovery support programs including a family and friends component. Comparable as a science-based, secular alternative offering peer support to families impacted by addiction.

Broad incumbents

• Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation: Established national nonprofit addiction treatment provider offering residential and outpatient programs plus education. Comparable as a major nonprofit in the addiction space, though it focuses on clinical treatment delivery rather than family-facing support services.
• Caron Treatment Centers: Long-standing nonprofit addiction treatment organization providing residential, outpatient, and family programs. Overlaps with the Partnership in family-focused addiction services and prevention education, but anchored in treatment delivery.

Regional players

• Partnership for Drug-Free New Jersey: State-level nonprofit collaborating with the Partnership to End Addiction on the NJ Healthy Aging Summit. Comparable as a regional nonprofit delivering prevention campaigns, community outreach, and family education in a defined geography.

Others

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Federal agency that funds much of the Partnership's research and provides the science base for addiction prevention messaging. Comparable as a stakeholder in the addiction research and policy ecosystem that the Partnership collaborates with rather than competes against.

Emerging players

• Pelago (formerly Quit Genius): Venture-backed digital clinic for substance use management including opioid and alcohol use disorders, serving employers and health plans. Represents the for-profit, paid digital health competition that could erode the Partnership's free consumer reach over time.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ToEndAddiction
• Facebookfacebook.com/PartnershipToEndAddiction

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Partnership to End Addiction