Overdoses don’t only happen to adults, they affect young people, too. The rise of fentanyl has made this reality even more dangerous. In 2021, the CDC reported that fentanyl was involved in 84% of all overdose deaths among individuals ages 10–19. During that same period, total overdose deaths in this age group more than doubled from 2019 to 2021. Alarmingly, about two-thirds of these overdoses occurred when a potential bystander was present, yet most bystanders were unable to respond in a life-saving way.
So what does this mean? It tells us that opioid overdose is a growing and urgent threat to young people. It also underscores the importance of education and prevention. To reduce risk, we must understand how and why teens are especially vulnerable to opioid overdose in the first place.
Adolescence is a time of rapid change, biologically, emotionally, and socially. These changes can increase the risk of substance misuse, particularly when combined with stress, mental health challenges, or a lack of support. Through the Change the Outcome presentation, students learn about the biological and social risk factors that contribute to substance use disorder and mental health struggles. Many young people are navigating constant pressure, new experiences, and uncertainty, which can feel overwhelming without strong support systems in place.
In some cases, families may face barriers to accessing healthcare or mental health services. In others, students may simply be unaware of how dangerous experimentation has become in today’s drug landscape, where fentanyl is often present without their knowledge. No one begins using substances with the intention of developing an addiction, there is always a complex set of circumstances that leads someone to harm.
Preventing overdose among young people requires more than awareness alone. It requires empathy, education, and action. This includes reducing stigma, ensuring access to naloxone, and fostering honest, judgment-free conversations about substance use and mental health.
At Change the Outcome, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to grow, heal, and thrive. By understanding the risk factors for opioid overdose and working together as families, educators, healthcare providers, and communities, we can prevent loss and build a future rooted in care, understanding, and hope.
