According to a research released Thursday by American health officials, the frequency of overdoses among teenagers aged 10 to 18 more than quadrupled in the country between 2019 and 2021. These authorities also cautioned against the dangers of fentanyl-containing counterfeit medications.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that between 2019 and 2021, the median monthly rate of teen overdoses climbed by 109%. (CDC).
Additionally, there have been 182% more overdoses with fentanyl that has been produced illegally.
The report observes that though general juvenile drug usage decreased over this time, it is probable that more powerful substances, rather than more frequent use, are to blame for the increase in mortality.
In the lab, it is simple and inexpensive to create fentanyl, a very strong and addictive synthetic opioid.
The American market for this medicine has steadily become overrun.
The study found that nearly a quarter of teen overdoses were related to fake medications, which frequently masqueraded as Oxycodone or Alprazolam (an anxiolytic sometimes known by the brand name Xanax).
Given that not all tablets collected at overdose scenes are examined, this percentage is likely understated.
Teenagers are now more at danger of deadly overdoses due to the prevalence of fake pills that pass for prescription medicines but really contain fentanyl that has been produced illegally. These pills are also easy to buy on social media.
It's unclear if the teenagers were trying to use drugs they believed to be real or whether they were aware they were fakes.
The data from 1,808 teenage overdoses recorded in 31 American states and the nation's capital between July 2019 and December 2021 might be evaluated.
Between July and December 2019, there were 32.5 fatalities on average each month.
In comparison to the same time in 2021, it increased to 68 per month.
increasing by 109%.
We must act quickly to stop these fatalities.
Strengthen preventative efforts warning about the risks of fake pills, but also better inform teenagers about the availability of tests to find fentanyl or the antidote naloxone, which can block the effects of opiates and can be provided by a family member in the case of an overdose.