Cited by 37Opioid Use Disorder TreatmentPoisoning and overdose treatmentsSubstance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Suspected nonfatal drug-related overdoses among youth in the US: 2016-2019

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Roehler, Douglas R., Olsen, Emily O., Mustaquim, Desiree, Vivolo-Kantor, Alana M.·2021·Pediatrics

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: During the current drug overdose crisis, the United States is experiencing a significant number of overdose deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits. Given the vulnerability of young persons to substance use, it is important to assess how this crisis affects the nation’s youth. In this study, we investigate trends in suspected nonfatal drug-related overdoses (all-drugs, opioids, heroin, and stimulants) among youth using syndromic surveillance data from 2016 to 2019. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of emergency department syndromic surveillance data were used to detect quarterly trends in suspected drug overdoses from April 2016 through September 2019 among youth aged 0 to 10, 11 to 14, and 15 to 24 years. Syndrome definitions were developed using chief complaint free-text and discharge diagnosis codes to identify overdoses involving all-drugs, opioids, heroin, and stimulants. Pearson χ2 tests detected quarter-to-quarter changes, and joinpoint regression analysis assessed trends over time. RESULTS: On average, there was a 2.0% increase for youth aged 0 to 10 years and a 2.3% increase for youth aged 11 to 14 years for suspected all-drug overdoses. Suspected heroin overdoses decreased by an average of 3.3% per quarter for youth aged 15 to 24 years. Among all age groups, suspected stimulant overdoses increased across the study period, 3.3% for 0 to 10-year-olds, 4.0% for 11- to 14-year-olds, and 2.3% for 15- to 24-year-olds. CONCLUSIONS: Suspected stimulant-involved drug overdoses appear to be rising among youth. These findings could inform targeted interventions, such as stimulant-focused prevention, and comprehensive approaches, including school-based prevention and other strategies to lower morbidity and mortality.

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Crossref · 10.1542/peds.2020-003491

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Authors
Roehler, D. R., Olsen, E. O., Mustaquim, D., & Vivolo-Kantor, A. M.
Affiliations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US)
Corresponding author
Roehler, Douglas R.
Venue
Pediatrics
Published
2021-01-01
Volume
147
Issue
1
ISSN
  • 0031-4005 (ISSN-L)
  • 1098-4275
OpenAlex
W3111601762
Cited by
37
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1
FWCI
3.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • PEDIATRICS (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institutes of Health (CC999999)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Emergency Medicine › Poisoning and overdose treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
Keywords
drug overdose, youth, opioid overdose, heroin overdose, stimulant overdose, emergency department visits, syndromic surveillance, substance use, overdose trends, school-based prevention
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Male, Regression Analysis, Retrospective Studies, United States, Young Adult, Public Health Surveillance, Drug Overdose

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