CDC data shows that between July 2019 and September 2021, middle school and high school aged children in the U.S. reported using less illicit substances in 2020. However, there was a 94% increase in overdose deaths within the same group during that period of time, and a 20% increase from 2020 to 2021.
The number of monthly overdose deaths increased by 65% overall, from 31 in July 2019 to 51 in December 2021, peaking at 87 in May 2021. Roughly 90% of overdose deaths involved opioids, and 83.9% involved illegally manufactured fentanyl. Most children who overdosed had no prior opioid use history. Roughly a quarter of the deaths were connected to counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl.
Roughly 60% of the deaths took place at the person’s residence. Two-thirds of the deaths could have taken place with a bystander present. The CDC also says roughly 41% of the people that died had a history of a mental health condition or treatment for substance use disorder.
Fentanyl test strips, which can detect the deadly synthetic opioid in drugs, were previously considered as illegal drug paraphernalia under state law. The CDC says this is due to the potency of the drugs being taken, considering deaths involving illicitly manufactured fentanyl increased 182%.From July 2019 to December 2021, the median monthly overdose deaths increased 109%
