A recent study published in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse reveals a dramatic increase in fentanyl poisonings among children and teenagers in the United States, including Denver. Between 2015 and 2023, reported cases of fentanyl poisoning surged by 924% for children aged 12 and younger and by an alarming 1,506% for adolescents aged 13 to 19. This data underscores the escalating opioid crisis impacting the nation’s youth, highlighting the urgent need for effective intervention strategies in Denver’s drug rehab centers.
Fentanyl Poisoning Comprehensive Study
The research, conducted by health experts from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, involved a comprehensive review of reports made to U.S. poison control centers across 49 states over an eight-year period. The findings show that more than 3,000 fentanyl poisoning incidents were reported for individuals aged 19 and under, with 59% of these cases involving teenagers and 41% involving younger children.
Accidental and Intentional Fentanyl Poisonings
A significant portion of these incidents among younger children (82%) were accidental, often resulting from unsupervised exposure to fentanyl or its paraphernalia. In contrast, 66% of the poisonings among teenagers were intentional, with the individuals seeking to get high. This trend is exacerbated by the widespread availability of counterfeit pills sold as common medications like Adderall or Xanax that actually contain fentanyl, a synthetic opioid significantly more potent than morphine.
Gender Disparity and Increasing Severity
The study also highlights the gender disparity in fentanyl poisonings, with boys accounting for 59% of the cases. Alarmingly, 45% of the poisoning incidents in 2023 were life-threatening, compared to 16% in 2015, emphasizing the growing severity of the situation.
Lead researcher Joseph Palamar warns of the risks posed by even small amounts of fentanyl, which can be lethal to children, stressing the importance of keeping the drug and its paraphernalia out of children’s reach. The study notes that fentanyl exposure can occur through contact with contaminated objects, such as baggies or used patches, highlighting the need for vigilance among parents and caregivers.
Preventive Measures and Awareness
To mitigate risks, the study’s senior researcher, Joshua Black, underscores the importance of having naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug, readily available at homes. He also emphasizes the need for awareness about the signs of opioid overdose, such as pale skin, slow or absent breathing, and coma, advising immediate action by contacting poison centers or emergency services if an overdose is suspected.
This research sheds light on the critical need for increased public awareness and preventive measures to protect children and teenagers from the dangers of fentanyl. The study calls on parents to secure opioids safely and to educate their children about the potential dangers of drug use, especially with the pervasive threat of counterfeit pills. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides additional resources and information on fentanyl and opioid safety.
Perspective and Call to Action
The dramatic rise in fentanyl poisonings among children and teenagers is alarming and underscores a deepening public health crisis that needs immediate redress. Fetanyl poisoning, like other forms of inadvertent illicit drug poisoning, points to the inherent dangers of the illicit drug supply and adolescent behavior. While experimenting with substances is common among many teens, today’s drugs are drastically more hazardous — even when tried only once.
The sharp rise in poisonings highlights a seeming paradox between research that indicates overall declines in teen substance use. Long-term studies indicate that teens are using less tobacco, alcohol, and stimulants than in decades past. Part of this change may be due to evolving attitudes that prioritize personal health and wellness. The disparity between reports of increased positions amidst declining overall use illustrates the complexity of the nation’s substance use problems. The use of substances has become more dangerous overall due, in large part, to the creation of ever more potent drugs. Today, most people treated for opioid use disorder are primarily using fentanyl and other synthetic opioids rather than heroin. What happens in the illicit drug supply affects us all — even individuals and families who do not typically use these substances purposefully.
Trauma is another result of fentanyl poisonings. The loss of young people causes an incalculable loss for parents, loved ones, and friends. Entire communities are impacted when a young person dies from an overdose. In this way, the deaths caused by fentanyl poisonings have a compounding negative effect.
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Podcast transcript:
Today, we’re diving into an urgent crisis gripping Denver and many parts of the United States: the alarming surge in fentanyl poisonings among children and teenagers. A recent study from the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse reveals a shocking increase in reported cases of fentanyl poisoning, with a 924% rise among children 12 and under, and a 1,506% increase among adolescents aged 13 to 19 from 2015 to 2023.
The research conducted by NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety reviewed over 3,000 incidents reported to poison control centers across 49 states. The findings underscore the escalating opioid crisis, with 59% of incidents involving teenagers and 41% involving younger children. Among younger children, 82% of these cases were accidental, often due to unsupervised exposure. In contrast, 66% of teenage cases were intentional, driven by the desire to get high—a trend exacerbated by the availability of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl.
This crisis highlights several critical issues: the accessibility of counterfeit medications, the need for public awareness, and the importance of preventative measures. At Foundry Front Range, we emphasize a compassionate and evidence-based approach to substance use disorders. Our perspective is rooted in addressing these issues with dignity, respect, and a non-punitive approach, recognizing substance use disorders as medical conditions that require comprehensive care and support.
The gender disparity noted in the study—with boys accounting for 59% of cases—alongside the increasing severity of incidents, calls for urgent action. In 2023, 45% of these poisonings were life-threatening, a stark increase from 16% in 2015. This underscores the critical need for effective intervention strategies, particularly in drug rehab centers across Denver.
Our approach at Foundry Front Range involves not just education but systemic change. We focus on building recovery-supportive environments through community connections, providing emotional and psychological support to at-risk individuals and their families. We also advocate for strategic public health policies that restrict access to dangerous substances and encourage harm reduction methods.
The study highlights the importance of having naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug, readily available. Recognizing the signs of an opioid overdose—such as pale skin, slow or absent breathing, and coma—can save lives, and this knowledge must be imparted broadly.
Parental involvement is crucial in this fight. Educating parents about securing opioids safely and discussing the dangers of drug misuse with their children is vital. By fostering open communication without judgment, we can create safer environments for our youth.
This crisis calls for a collaborative effort involving educators, healthcare systems, policymakers, and families. Together, we can implement robust educational programs and advocate for tighter drug controls to combat this epidemic effectively.
The rising incidents of fentanyl poisoning among youth reflect broader public health challenges. At Foundry Front Range, we are committed to guiding, supporting, and educating individuals to pursue a life free from substance misuse burdens. Our mission is clear: to foster healthier, safer futures for our youth through community action, healthcare policy, and clinical practice.
