Teen issues with drug abuse are a major concern for many parents. We want our kids to stay away from all drugs, but life-threatening drugs like fentanyl are an entirely different monster. Data from the
CDC shows the rate of overdose deaths in teenagers increased by 19% in 2015. Most of these deaths came from heroin, fentanyl, or tramadol.
What’s interesting about this is the use of other common teen drugs, such as pot, is going down. A
study found fewer teens are using cannabis, alcohol, or tobacco these days. Why is there an increase in deaths when overall drug use is down? The answer lies in the deadly nature of fentanyl.
Teen Drugs: A Small Amount of Fentanyl Can Kill
Most parents assume their teens are smart enough to stay away from opiate drugs. Unfortunately, it isn’t only fentanyl teens have to worry about. Authorities have discovered fentanyl in drugs like cannabis, benzodiazepines, and MDMA pills. It's also sometimes laced with other opiate drugs like heroin or oxycodone.
While other opiate drugs are also dangerous, they’re not as strong as fentanyl. Therefore, a teen with a heroin problem may think they’re taking their usual amount and instead receive a life-threatening dose. An amount of fentanyl equal to a couple grains of salt is enough to kill a person.
Avoiding Fentanyl: Discussing Teen Safety and Drugs
Don’t hesitate to sit down and have a family discussion surrounding teen issues and drugs. Your kids might be well-behaved, but they should still be aware of the dangers of fentanyl in case they’re ever in a situation where they encounter it.
It might help to let them know:
- They can always call you for a ride if they ever find themselves in an uncomfortable situation involving drug use and their peers.
- While it’s never safe to take substances from someone they don’t know, taking drugs offered by a close friend isn’t necessarily safe either.
- They can always come to you if they’re struggling with any serious teen issues, including drug abuse, and you will help rather than get angry.
Every parent hopes their teen will abstain from all substance use. Nonetheless, even the smartest teens make mistakes. The more we educate them on the realities of today’s drugs, the better chance they’ll have of growing up safe and happy.
For more help with teen safety, please reach out today.