There is a tragic surge.
Research has shown a dramatic increase in the number of children poisoned by fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, in recent years. Between 2015 and 2023, fentanyl poisonings rose by 924% among children aged 12 and younger and by 1,506% among teenagers aged 13 to 19, according to a study published on March 8 in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
In 2023, nearly half of these poisonings were life-threatening, requiring immediate medical attention to prevent death, up from 16% in 2015. Joseph Palamar, lead researcher and associate professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, emphasized the importance of acknowledging the risks to children during the opioid crisis, urging parents to be cautious about leaving fentanyl, whether legal or illegal, accessible to unsupervised children. Even indirect exposure to fentanyl residue on paraphernalia or baggies can be fatal to children, he warned.
The study analyzed reports to U.S. poison control centers across 49 states from 2015 to 2023, revealing over 3,000 cases of fentanyl poisoning among those 19 and younger. Of these, 59% involved teens, while 41% affected children 12 and younger. Boys represented 59% of the cases, with the majority of poisonings among younger children being unintentional (82%). In contrast, 66% of teen poisonings were linked to fentanyl use for recreational purposes.
The opioid crisis continues to worsen in the U.S., largely due to the rise of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. These fake pills, often sold as common medications like Adderall or Xanax, have contributed to the surge in poisonings. Palamar urged parents to be vigilant, as children might ingest such pills out of curiosity or lack of awareness of the dangers. Even used fentanyl patches can pose significant risks to young people.
Joshua Black, a senior scientist at Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, recommended that parents keep naloxone on hand to reverse potential overdoses. He also stressed the importance of recognizing signs of opioid overdose—such as pale skin, shallow or absent breathing, and unconsciousness—and seeking medical help immediately. Parents should contact a poison center or emergency services if they suspect an overdose.
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