7 Real Issues That Are Tackled on The Fosters

The main drug abuse story follows the character of Ana (the twins birth mom). Ana struggles with drug addiction which is the reason why her children were taken from her. We see her bad days through everyone's eyes, hers, her birth children's and her parents. We also join her on her recovery journey. There are also smaller drug-related storylines, for example, we find out Mariana's friend Kelsey - suffer from addiction and has to go to rehab.
"I loved getting high more than I loved you" - Ana to her children, Season 2 episode 10 - Someone's Little Sister

As we know the character of Lena is mixed race. Her half-brother Nathan called his mom the N-word, Lena is infuriated by this and as a result, doesn't have a relationship with Nathan until he apologises. In the fosters, we are introduced to many police characters mainly, Stef and Mike. We mostly see their careers; dangers, investigation etc. But on Season 3 episode 5: Going south. AJ, a young black man is Mike's ride along, he gets out of the car just as a policeman pushes him to the ground and tells him to be silent and attempts to handcuff him. Then Mike runs to his rescue. AJ tells Mike when he goes home how he gets treated like a dog by the police as his voice cracks and tears fall. This scene for me is heartbreaking.

"You got no idea what it's like to be living down to the low expectations society has for you. "Foster kid? Black kid? Oh! You must be headed for gangs, drugs, jail. I've been hearing it so long I'm starting to wonder if they're right." - AJ to Mike, Season 3 Episode 5

One of the main characters in the show - Callie was raped by her foster brother, Liam in a previous home. We follow her as she tells Steff and Lena, the trauma afterwards and how unfair the justice system is to rape victims as the lawyer asked her to lie if she wanted her rapist to be imprisoned. Her testimony is incredibly powerful. We also watch as she learns to trust again and the effects of rape in relationships. We also come across statutory rape involving Brandon and his dad's girlfriend.
"Look, whatever you decide - you know we've got you" - Mariana to her sister Callie the day before Liam's trial, Season 1 episode 10

As you probably know if you watch the fosters, Lena and Steff are married. They face a lot of homophobia, even by Callie on her first day home. There are many discussions about Steff's father being homophobic and how she was sent to a preacher when she was younger. And in Season 3 Episode 7, Mariana changes her mind about getting baptised because she believes the church is telling her that her moms are sinning. There is also the homophobia storyline with Jude and Connor at school.
"What's more Christian than family?" - Ernie to Steff & Lena Saturday, Season 1 Episode 6

Another addiction addressed in this show is alcoholism. Mike suffers from this and also joins Anna in his recovery. At one point Mike relies upon his ex-partner Dani to stay sober. Brandon (his son) tells him about how he remembers his dad driving while drunk when he was younger and swerving off the road. Brandon and Mike's relationship is challenged a lot because of Mike's addiction.
"Because you're so afraid you can't save yourself without saving someone else" - Stef to Mike, Season 2 Episode 15.

Anxiety is talked about a lot on this show. One really good example is Jude's selective mutism. Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder that isn't talked about a lot. Its when someone cannot speak and it's most common in children. Another instance where anxiety is talked about is when Callie has her first panic attack when she's in bed with Wyatt which could be PTSD. Also at one point, Steff starts getting panic attacks which she learns from her mother are hereditary.
"Unlike guilt, which is the feeling of doing something wrong shame is the feeling of being something wrong" - Steff's therapist to Steff, Mother's Day, Season 5 episode 5"

When Callie has to stay at Girls United, she meets multiple girls involved in different crimes including gang violence, drug-related crimes and prostitution. In the episode where she runs away from home, she is approached by some prostitutes. Also, a girl called Diamond had a pimp who controlled her and some other girls and gets Callie involved while Steff desperately tries to help them.

"It's okay, it's gonna be okay" Steff to Diamond. Season 5 Episode 1

To conclude there are many, many issues tackled in this wonderful show! I'm sure there's some I haven't included - let me know what they are in the comments!