Increases in Fatal Drug Overdoses Among Adolescents in GA
Abstract
Background
Drug overdoses have been increasing nationally and in Georgia, largely driven by the presence of fentanyl in the drug supply. In Georgia, from 2019 to 2021, drug overdose deaths among adolescents aged 10-19 increased by 127% and fentanyl-involved overdose deaths increased by 800%. We examined these deaths to understand how to target education and prevention efforts to decrease adolescent overdose deaths.
Methods
The State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) collects detailed investigative and toxicological information from Coroners/Medical Examiners about unintentional drug overdose deaths occurring in Georgia. We examined SUDORS data for adolescent overdose deaths occurring during 2019-2021.
Results
Of 69 Georgia adolescent overdose deaths from 2019-2021: 51 (74%) had fentanyl present, with an average of 5 substances present on toxicology screen per death; 20 (29%) had a known mental health problem; 50 (72%) had a known substance abuse problem; 9 (13%) had experienced a previous overdose; 10 (15%) had recently been released from an institutional setting; and 43 (62%) had a bystander present during the overdose. Decedents were 61% (42) male; 67% (46) White, 23% (16) Black, 10% (7) other race, and 24% (17) Hispanic. In 2021, Hispanic adolescents were 2.1 times as likely to die from an overdose (4.52/100,000) compared to non-Hispanic adolescents (2.11/100,000).
Conclusion
These findings underscore the need for education among adolescents around the dangers of fentanyl and its increasing presence in the illicit drug supply. Many decedents encountered professionals that had an opportunity to educate them about fentanyl. Given adequate naloxone administration training and medication accessibility, bystanders present at the time of overdose could intervene. Targeting education and prevention efforts based on these opportunities for intervention can lead to a decrease in fentanyl-involved overdose deaths, especially among adolescents, and efforts specifically aimed towards the Hispanic population may also lead to better outcomes.
Keywords
overdose, fentanyl, adolescents, prevention
Increases in Fatal Drug Overdoses Among Adolescents in GA
Background
Drug overdoses have been increasing nationally and in Georgia, largely driven by the presence of fentanyl in the drug supply. In Georgia, from 2019 to 2021, drug overdose deaths among adolescents aged 10-19 increased by 127% and fentanyl-involved overdose deaths increased by 800%. We examined these deaths to understand how to target education and prevention efforts to decrease adolescent overdose deaths.
Methods
The State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) collects detailed investigative and toxicological information from Coroners/Medical Examiners about unintentional drug overdose deaths occurring in Georgia. We examined SUDORS data for adolescent overdose deaths occurring during 2019-2021.
Results
Of 69 Georgia adolescent overdose deaths from 2019-2021: 51 (74%) had fentanyl present, with an average of 5 substances present on toxicology screen per death; 20 (29%) had a known mental health problem; 50 (72%) had a known substance abuse problem; 9 (13%) had experienced a previous overdose; 10 (15%) had recently been released from an institutional setting; and 43 (62%) had a bystander present during the overdose. Decedents were 61% (42) male; 67% (46) White, 23% (16) Black, 10% (7) other race, and 24% (17) Hispanic. In 2021, Hispanic adolescents were 2.1 times as likely to die from an overdose (4.52/100,000) compared to non-Hispanic adolescents (2.11/100,000).
Conclusion
These findings underscore the need for education among adolescents around the dangers of fentanyl and its increasing presence in the illicit drug supply. Many decedents encountered professionals that had an opportunity to educate them about fentanyl. Given adequate naloxone administration training and medication accessibility, bystanders present at the time of overdose could intervene. Targeting education and prevention efforts based on these opportunities for intervention can lead to a decrease in fentanyl-involved overdose deaths, especially among adolescents, and efforts specifically aimed towards the Hispanic population may also lead to better outcomes.
