'We're not alone' - 'Sesame Street' tackles addiction crisis

This Aug. 6, 2019 photo shows puppeteers Haley Jenkins, left, and Leslie Carrara-Rudolph...
This Aug. 6, 2019 photo shows puppeteers Haley Jenkins, left, and Leslie Carrara-Rudolph performing with their "Sesame Street" muppets Karli and Abby Cadabby, respectively, for segments about parental addiction in New York. Sesame Workshop is addressing the issue of addiction. Data shows 5.7 million children under 11 live in households with a parent with substance use disorder. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) (KVLY)
Published: Oct. 10, 2019 at 7:54 AM CDT
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"Sesame Street" is taking a new step to try to help kids navigate life in America - it's tackling the opioid crisis.

Sesame Workshop is exploring the backstory of Karli, a bright green, yellow-haired friend of Elmo's whose mother is battling addiction. The initiative is part of the Sesame Street in Communities resources available online.

Karli had already been introduced as a puppet in foster care earlier this year, but viewers now will understand why her mother had to go away for a while.

Children's therapist Jerry Moe, the national director of the Hazelden Betty Ford Children's Program, helped craft the segments and resources, saying he was grateful to help since there's been a small number of resources for the preschool age-group.