Teen overdose deaths on the rise and fentanyl plays a big roleThere has been a sharp increase in teen overdose deaths. One of the primary reasons is fentanyl.
In one year, teen overdose deaths nearly doubled. And many of these deaths are accidental.
When you think of fentanyl, teenagers don’t usually come to mind. But researchers say that is exactly what’s killing these kids.
Adolescents experimenting with drugs is not new. But, today’s recreational drug use is akin to playing Russian roulette.
Nancy Dauphinais is a licensed mental health counselor and certified addiction professional with the David Lawrence Center. “They can be in one and not another,” Dauphinais said.
She’s referring to fentanyl. Researchers at UCLA say it’s to blame for the sharp rise in teen overdose deaths that nearly doubled in one year. “The facts alone are scary,” said Dauphinais.
Joe Rosenburg lives in Naples. “It’s totally scary. However, it’s our culture, unfortunately,” said Rosenberg.
The numbers themselves are shocking. In 2019, there were 492 deadly overdoses. And there were 952 in 2020.
“It doesn’t just affect one person. It affects family and affects friends. It’s just horrible,” Rosenberg said.
They can be horrible and unsuspecting, but these deaths are also often accidental. “Most individuals aren’t even aware that fentanyl was in the drug they were taking,” Dauphinais said.......
https://www.winknews.com/2022/04/15/teen-overdose-deaths-on-the-rise-and-fentanyl-plays-a-big-role/
