This TIP SHEET provides an overview of the opioid crisis, how it affects youth, and what grantees can do about adolescent use. The U.S. opioid crisis is affecting youth of all backgrounds and is not limited to youth of a specific socioeconomic status, race, gender, or geographic location, although the crisis has affected some adolescent demographic groups more than others.
WHAT ARE OPIOIDS AND HOW DO THEY WORK?
Opioids are prescription drugs primarily used to alleviate pain (e.g., after surgery). Some examples of commonly prescribed opioids are oxycodone, codeine, fentanyl, morphine, and hydrocodone. Heroin, an illegal drug in the UnitedStates, is also an opioid.
While opioids can be referred to by their prescription names, there are also street names for each of these drugs.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
National Organizations
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA):
https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids
and: https://teens.drugabuse.gov
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
https://www.samhsa.gov
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/opioids
• American Academy of Pediatrics:
https://www.aap.org
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids:
https://drugfree.org/medicine
