Alameda County has seen a troubling rise in opioid overdoses in recent years, and a growing portion of these cases involve teenagers. In fact, according to the San Francisco Drug overdose and treatment data and reports, the number of overdose deaths has risen dramatically in the San Francisco Bay Area, mainly due to the proliferation of illicit fentanyl.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the overall trend of overdose deaths involving opioids remains elevated and continues to rise. 2023 was a record year with 309 overdose deaths in Alameda County, which increased by 65% from 2022, as stated by an Alameda County Behavioral Health Board agenda memo..
Adolescents are especially vulnerable to substance misuse because their brains are still developing. However, adolescents in Alameda County might be at even higher risk. With the academic environment in Alameda, and the San Francisco Bay Area as a whole, students face immense pressures on the daily. The constant pressure to outdo competition and get into the best universities can have psychological damage on the developing teen brain. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine added youths in high achieving schools to a list of groups at risk for substance abuse.
On top of this, teens also don’t have a fully developed prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for decision-making (especially long-term decisions) and impulse control. This part of the brain does not fully mature until 25 years. Teens are, therefore, much more likely to take risks without considering the consequences and being influenced by peers.
Other factors contribute to opioid use. According to an article in Social Work in Public Health, genetics and home environment can play a significant role. Adolescents with a family history of substance use disorders face an increased risk, or those who grow up in households with frequent substance abuse or with constant stress and instability. Peer pressure, trauma, and mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, can also increase susceptibility .
Recognizing the warning signs early is crucial for preventing troublesome outcomes, like harcore addiction and even overdose and death. There are a few common signs of opioid usage and addiction among teenagers, according to the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America:
- Physical signs: Pinpoint pupils, drowsiness, frequent napping at unusual times, decreased appetite, weight loss, constipation, or nausea.
- Behavioral signs: Withdrawal from family, increased secrecy, changes in friends or hangouts, and declining school attendance and performance.
- Emotional signs: Sudden mood swings, irritability, or unexplained personality changes.
- Other indicators: Missing or overused prescription medications, burnt aluminum foil, powder residue in small bags, unfamiliar pills, burnt spoons, syringes found in a teen’s belongings.
Based on the findings from the AMA Journal of Ethics, caregivers and communities can play a major role in reducing the risk of opioid misuse among teenagers. Open and supportive relationships between teens and their parents or guardians act as a protective factor, making adolescents less likely to engage in high-risk behavior. Practical steps include:
- Talking openly about the risks of opioid use, including the dangers of overdose and addiction.
- Keeping prescription medications in a secure location and disposing of unused pills properly.
- Modeling healthy coping strategies for stress, such as exercise, hobbies, or talking with supportive people, rather than turning to substances like alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis.
- Ensuring teens know that help is available and that conversations about substance use do not have to be judgmental or punitive.
Because opioid overdoses can be fatal, it is critical to recognize the warning signs and act quickly. Symptoms of overdose include slow or shallow breathing, blue or gray skin around the lips or nails, pinpoint pupils, extreme sleepiness or unresponsiveness, and a limp body.
Families and schools can prepare by keeping naloxone (Narcan) on hand, an emergency medication that can rapidly reverse an overdose if administered in time. The CDC explains guidelines for using Naloxone, and the importance of administering it on time.
In addition, fentanyl test strips can be used to detect the presence of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that is often found as a contaminant in other drugs and is a leading cause of fatal overdoses.
The opioid crisis is a public health emergency that touches families across Alameda County and beyond. By learning the signs of opioid use, creating open lines of communication, and taking proactive steps to protect teens, caregivers can play a vital role in preventing tragedy. Education, vigilance, and compassion together form the best defense against opioid misuse and overdose among adolescents.
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 Department and the grant is administered by Three Valleys Community Foundation.
