Opioids are one of the most immediate concerns for the entire United States government. Overdose and rampant misuse of prescription drugs have become a matter of concern for the health department. Thousands fall victim to these drugs and among them, many are teens.
One positive aspect of the fight against opioid addiction was the reduction in Teen overdoses. However, a new government survey has discovered that teen overdose deaths are once again on the rise. Researchers feel that this is a result of newer and more potent drugs, like fentanyl and carfentanyl, hitting the markets.
What the study reveals
The recent government funded study uncovered that in 2015 the rate of overdose deaths among teens increased when compared to the previous years. The research focused on teens aged 15 to 19 and revealed that the overdose rates increased to 3.7 deaths per 100,000 teens from the previous year's 3.1 deaths per 100,000 teens. Most of these deaths were because of accidental ingestion of drugs and related to heroin.
The numbers are still much lower than what it is for adults as most of the overdose deaths involve adults. Comparatively, 700 to 800 teens die each year from opioid overdose. However, the number is still too high and more steps must be taken to effectively curb the use of such drugs among teenagers.
After some years of decline, the opioid overdose deaths increased both in male and female teenagers. For instance, in 2015, the rate increased to 4.6 per 100,000 male teens from the previous year's 4 per 100,000 figure. In girls the rate increased to 2.7 per 100,000 in 2015 from 2.2 in 2014. Even though the increase is quite small, this is the greatest overdose death rate in girls since 1979.
Previous decline in the overdose rates in teens
Health experts were surprised in 2008 when they saw that the overdose rates in teens had effective fallen. This decline in Drug overdose continued throughout 2012 and into 2014. Researchers also revealed that during the same period smoking, drinking, sex, and other dangerous behaviors also declined among the teens.
Experts feel that this change was brought on due to the fact that more of the youngsters were glued on to their smartphones and on social media platforms. The recent surge in overdose among teens is mainly due to the introduction of more potent drugs like fentanyl, which sometimes lace heroin. President Trump has declared the opiod crisis as a national emergency. He adds that the best way to battle the epidemic is by reaching out to young people.
