AXIOS October 24, 2023
An alarming rise in overdose deaths among children and teenagers is colliding with an inadequate pediatric mental health system — including a lack of addiction treatment.
Why it matters: Limited treatment options and coverage gaps mean that many kids aren’t getting needed care that could help prevent them from developing a deeper and potentially deadly addiction.
By the numbers: Pediatric opioid deaths began to spike with the rise in fentanyl availability in the mid-2010s.
- Median monthly overdose deaths among adolescents ages 10-19 increased by 109% between the second half of 2019 and the second half of 2021, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from last year. Deaths involving illicitly manufactured fentanyl increased by 182%.
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