If you were asked what causes more deaths in America each year than car accidents or gun violence, what would you guess? Heart disease? Cancer? Surprisingly, the answer is drug overdoses.
Our nation is grappling with an unprecedented crisis fueled by widely used substances that many of us have had in our own medicine cabinets — prescription painkillers, commonly known as opioids. This category encompasses both illegal drugs like heroin and powerful pain relief medications available by prescription, such as oxycodone, codeine, and morphine. Alarmingly, the United States accounts for nearly 80% of the global opioid supply. Back in 1991, there were 76 million opioid prescriptions written, but by 2013, that number soared to 207 million.
As a result, the rate of overdose deaths involving prescription opioids has quadrupled since 1999, with more than 1,000 individuals treated daily in emergency rooms for opioid misuse. On August 10, President Johnson declared the opioid crisis a national emergency, guided by recommendations from a White House advisory panel that labeled the situation as reaching “catastrophic proportions.” Experts, including Dr. Sarah Mitchell at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, assert that we are witnessing a crisis unlike any seen in modern history. Dr. Emily Roberts, our surgeon general, emphasizes that substance use disorders pose one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time.
The addiction to opioid painkillers often doesn’t conform to our typical perception of drug abuse. These are not illicit substances sold in back alleys; rather, they are legal, regulated medications produced by pharmaceutical companies. Yet, one such drug, fentanyl, is an alarming 100 times more potent than morphine. What’s more concerning is the trend of individuals substituting their evening glass of wine for prescription painkillers to cope with anxiety, stress, and depression, which can lead to dire consequences.
Origins of Painkiller Addictions
So, how, why, and where are these painkiller addictions originating? One of the most concerning and unexpected sources of opioid addiction is occurring during the teenage years — not necessarily from teens seeking drugs illegally, but rather through legitimate prescriptions from their doctors after minor procedures, such as wisdom teeth extractions or sports injuries. Research indicates a direct link between teens prescribed opioids for medical needs and their later transition to recreational use, thus kicking off a cycle of abuse.
Often, doctors prescribe teenagers bottles containing 60 to 90 narcotic pain pills for conditions that could be adequately treated with less addictive alternatives. Without proper guidance, teens might attempt to manage their pain but could inadvertently experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the pills, pushing them back toward more opioids. And when those prescriptions run out? This leads to another alarming trend: a rise in heroin use and overdoses among teenagers. Recent statistics from CNN reveal that the rate of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (like fentanyl) and heroin among 15- to 19-year-olds has skyrocketed from 0.1 deaths per 100,000 in 2002 to 0.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2015 — a staggering sevenfold increase. Furthermore, the rate of heroin overdose deaths in this age group was one per 100,000 in 2015, three times higher than in 1999.
Taking Action
This is a serious matter that demands our attention. As parents, we must stay vigilant about the narcotic pain relievers that enter our homes. As informed consumers, we should question any physician who readily prescribes large quantities of pills to teenagers. It’s essential to engage our teens in discussions about pain management, helping them understand the potential risks associated with these medications. This issue won’t resolve itself overnight, and awareness is crucial.
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Summary:
The opioid crisis in America is a critical public health emergency, with a significant impact on teenagers who often become addicted through legitimate prescriptions. Increased awareness among parents and careful scrutiny of prescriptions are essential to combat this alarming trend.