Teen overdose deaths spiked in 2020 and 2021, according to a new study. But the deaths are not a result of more experimentation with drugs: Federal data show that overall teen drug use has been falling.
“Synthetic opioids like fentanyls have been driving increases in the U.S. overdose crisis for more than a decade. What’s changing now is that synthetic opioids are being packaged as counterfeit pills, which teens are more likely to report experimenting with. For decades, teens have reported experimenting with prescription pills, and overdose deaths didn’t rise because those pills are actually much safer, relatively speaking.
Also there are very important inequalities in access to services, counseling and healthcare that people need to stay safe in the face of such a dangerous drug supply.”“I’d say we are woefully under-equipped to handle this situation. As a country, we have really focused on abstinence-only drug education for decades, and even now with teen drug use rates at historic lows it’s still 40% of 12th graders report having experimented with an illicit drug.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
High-Profile Political Donor Ed Buck Sentenced to 30 Years in Drug Overdose DeathsEd Buck was on trial in Los Angeles on nine felony counts, including two counts of distribution of controlled substances resulting in death, stemming from the overdose deaths of two men.
Read more »
Woman was ‘clean’ just before central Pa. man sold her fatal drugs: policeInvestigators found text messages between the pair discussing payment for the drugs.
Read more »
Ed Buck sentenced in drug deaths caseA former Democratic political donor who supplied drugs to two men who overdosed in his West Hollywood apartment was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in federal prison.
Read more »
Drug cartels may be ‘making more money from human smuggling' than drugs: Ken CuccinelliFormer acting DHS Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli discusses border policy, drug cartels on 'Fox & Friends Weekend.'
Read more »
FDA approves first breath test for COVID-19 in the U.S.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given an emergency use authorization to the first breath test for detection of COVID-19, the regulatory authority said in a press release.
Read more »
'Magic mushrooms' for therapy? Vets help sway conservativesThe medicinal use of hallucinogenic mushrooms is making inroads in U.S. states as military veterans advocate for the therapeutic value of psychedelic drugs, including in conservative states like Utah, Texas and Oklahoma
Read more »