Fentanyl poisonings among US children

The number of Fentanyl poisonings among US children has skyrocketed in recent years, and the outcomes are becoming more severe. The escalating threat is largely driven by the proliferation of illicit fentanyl-laced pills and powders, which are often indistinguishable from candy or other common household items.

This surge in pediatric exposure underscores the urgent need for comprehensive public health strategies, enhanced education on the subject, improved access to naloxone, and stricter regulations on the distribution and storage of opioids. Most importantly, our kids need to be educated and feared more that street drugs will often contain Fentanyl.

Between 2015 and 2023, reported cases of nonfatal fentanyl exposure among children up to 19 years old increased by an astonishing 1,194%, according to a study published in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse getsmartaboutdrugs.gov. In Oregon alone, the Poison Center reported a 449% rise in fentanyl exposures among young children from 2019 to 2023 OHSU News. These figures reflect a broader national crisis: fentanyl-related deaths among children have surged more than 30-fold between 2013 and 2021 NCBI.

A new study co-authored by Joshua Black, Ph.D., senior scientist at Denver Health’s Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety, found that pediatric exposures to fentanyl reported to U.S. poison centers between 2015 and 2023 increased by 924% in children 12 or younger, and by 1,506% in teenagers. While these numbers are alarming, there are an additional 3,000 more nonfatal cases during this study period.

Fentanyl deaths are rising among young children.

Fentanyl-related overdose deaths among children and adolescents in the United States have escalated sharply in recent years. In 2023, there were 557 fentanyl overdose deaths among teens aged 15–19, marking a nearly threefold increase from 2018. This surge is attributed to the widespread availability of counterfeit fentanyl-laced pills, often purchased via social media platforms. Despite the effectiveness of medications like naltrexone and buprenorphine, fewer than one in three teenagers with opioid use disorder receive any treatment, and less than 10% of those in treatment are given medication-assisted therapy The Guardian.

These statistics underscore the critical need for increased awareness, prevention efforts, and timely intervention to protect children and adolescents from the dangers of fentanyl exposure. Dr. Joshua Black encourages families to have naloxone on hand and to know how to use it.

How to prevent children from being poisoned by Fentanyl:

Lock up all medications and substances – Store prescription drugs, over-the-counter meds, and household chemicals in locked cabinets or containers out of children’s reach.
Keep opioids out of the home if possible – Avoid keeping prescription opioids in the house; safely dispose of unused medications.
Educate children – Teach kids that they should never take anything not given by a trusted adult, and explain that some substances can be deadly.
Recognize common hiding places – Check handbags, drawers, backpacks, and common areas where pills or powders might be left.
Be cautious with friends and relatives’ homes – Ensure children are aware not to touch unknown substances elsewhere.
Know the signs of opioid exposure – Look for unusual sleepiness, slow or shallow breathing, small pupils, or limpness.
Keep naloxone (Narcan) accessible – Ask your pediatrician about keeping naloxone at home and learn how to use it in an emergency.
Supervise young children closely – Toddlers and preschoolers explore by putting things in their mouths; never leave them unattended around unknown substances.
Dispose of drugs safely – Use authorized take-back programs or disposal pouches for leftover medications.
Stay informed – Follow local and national alerts about fentanyl-laced products, including counterfeit pills or street drugs.

If you or someone you know has been exposed to a poison or toxin, call the Poison Help Line at 800-222-1222 or use poisonhelp.org to get immediate assistance.

The Rocky Mountain Poison Center has provided 24-hour poison emergency service for more than 60 years.

If your child or teen is in need of substance use help schedule a no-cost discovery call with Rae Guyer, your therapeutic consultant to discuss options.

Image credit, Almaje