HealthDay (5/27, Thompson ) reports a study found that “fentanyl-only deaths among 15- to 24-year-olds soared by 168% between 2018 and 2022, and now account for most fatal ODs among that age group.” In the study, “researchers analyzed federal death records to examine trends in ODs among teens and young adults. They specifically looked at synthetic opioids like fentanyl used alone or in combination with other drugs like benzodiazepine, cocaine, heroin, prescription opioids or stimulants.” They found that the “largest increase in OD death rates occurred among young people taking fentanyl alone, rising to 4.3 deaths per 100,000 in 2022 from only 1.6 deaths per 100,000 in 2018. By comparison, the death rate of fentanyl combined with benzodiazepines was 0.33 deaths per 100,000 in 2022, while the fentanyl and cocaine rate was 0.89 deaths per 100,000.” Additionally, “young males are 2.5 times more likely to have a fatal overdose involving fentanyl compared to females, researchers said.” The study was published in Pediatrics.
Related Links:
— “Fentanyl Fueling OD Deaths Among Teens, Young Adults,” Dennis Thompson, HealthDay, May 27, 2025