TOPLINE:

While youth overdose deaths from any substance rose by 40% between 2018 and 2022, deaths involving only synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, increased by 168% and surpassed deaths from polydrug combinations, a new study showed.

METHODOLOGY:

The National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, and Multiple Cause of Death datasets were used to examine trends in overdose deaths among US youth aged 15-24 years from 2018 to 2022 across ages, sexes, races and ethnicities, and regions.

Researchers identified drug poisoning deaths through the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision .

Fatal overdoses involving synthetic opioids alone or in combination with benzodiazepines, cocaine, heroin, prescription o

See Full Page