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By Riya Upadhyaya
Whether used as a social lubricant or simply a mood-lifter, teen substance use most often starts casually. Many teens fail to realize that one pill could mean the difference between life and death.
What starts as recreational drug use can quickly turn deadly when fentanyl is introduced. Laced or contaminated drugs pose an increasing risk to teens across the Tri-Valley, and these counterfeit pills can have devastating impacts.
A 2023 analysis by Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) revealed that adolescent overdose deaths in the United States have more than doubled since 2018, with fentanyl-related deaths increasing the most by far. Within the first year of the pandemic alone, fentanyl overdoses in adolescents increased by 177%, from 128 in 2019 to 354 in 2020.
Teens are substantially more likely to encounter laced drugs. In recent years, high school “pill parties” have gained popularity with teens. Sometimes referred to as “pharming” or “Skittles parties,” participants at these gatherings bring pills from various sources, dump them in a communal bowl, and consume handfuls of them without knowing what they are, often accompanying them with alcohol. The dangerous practice is a contributor to rising teen drug overdose deaths.
However, these risks aren’t limited to intentional drug use– teens can be harmed without even realizing they have been exposed.
For instance, estimates suggest that one in 10 young adults have experienced drink spiking. This occurs when someone adds alcohol or drugs to another person’s drink without their knowledge.
Together, these dangers reveal the many ways teens can be exposed to lethal drugs, and the consequences are already being seen across California.
Over 6,000 Californians died of fentanyl overdose in 2021, according to Three Valleys Community Foundation. At least 220 of those deaths were teens ages 15-19.
In a society where drugs are often easily accessed at a young age, it is increasingly important to educate teens about the potentially deadly impacts of these counterfeit substances. With the right efforts, teen substance abuse can be faced and mitigated. But they must be aware of not only the many repercussions of drug use, but also be prepared for the ways they might encounter them, whether they’re aware of it or not.
This article was written as part of a program to educate youth and others about Alameda County’s opioid crisis, prevention and treatment options. The program is funded by the Alameda County Behavioral Health and the grant is administered by Three Valleys Community Foundation.
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