Preventing Youth Opioid Abuse
Last Updated: Wednesday February 15, 2023
Opioid addiction has reached crisis levels in communities across the nation.
An estimated 3 million Americans have had or currently suffer from opioid use disorder, as of 2022. Almost two thirds of deadly drug overdoses in 2021 were due to opioids.
The epidemic is also hitting young people hard. During both the period of July-December 2019, as well as the period of July-December 2021, about 90 percent of drug overdoses among 10 to 19-year-olds were related to opioids.
Prevention works when you start early. Stop Youth Opioid Abuse is a multi-channel effort from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the Ad Council, and the Truth Initiative that focuses on preventing and reducing the misuse of opioids among youth and young adults.
The campaign also hosts a website, https://www.thetruth.com/opioids, which includes information about opioids, the epidemic, and evidence-based drug treatment. Get more information about opioids and opioid addiction below.
For Youth
 |
Youth Opioid Abuse Prevention: 5 Questions and Answers (PDF)What are opioids? How can you make sure you don’t get addicted? Get answers to these questions and more. |
For Parents and Educators
|
Discussion Guide (PDF)With your teen, watch the videos on https://www.thetruth.com/opioids (or click on the stories below) and start a conversation about opioid abuse using the questions in this guide. |