Having Impactful Conversations about Youth Drug Use

CW: Discussions of substance use, suicidality, and self-harm.

Youth substance use is happening regardless of whether or not people are speaking openly about it. As a teen who had a substance misuse problem, I was never given non-judgmental information regarding substance use; I was only told unhelpful statements like “drugs are bad for you.” This blanket statement didn’t give me any clarity that would have informed my initial decision to use substances or provided harm reduction. Based on my lived experiences, I believe the more we talk about substance misuse and allow youth to have open conversations with trusted adults, the more likely we will see a decrease in overdoses and an increase in youth drug education. 

Firstly, youth substance use is often misunderstood as teen rebellion or just a phase that some young people go through. However, according to The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, “Youth drug abuse is a high-profile public health concern, with at least 1-in-8 teenagers abusing an illicit substance in the last year” (NCDAS, 2019). These numbers are indicative of the immense amount of misuse that is occurring amongst youth populations. This is an important statistic and harsh reality that must be faced with understanding rather than ‘sweeping it under the rug’ and invalidating the dangers substance use poses on young people.

In the last few years, we have seen an increase in youth overdoses and deaths. “An average of 22 adolescents 14 to 18 years of age died in the U.S. each week in 2022 from drug overdoses, raising the death rate for this group to 5.2 per 100,000— driven by fentanyl in counterfeit pills” (UCLA Health, 2024). The opioid epidemic is a leading cause of drug overdose in youth as counterfeit pills rise in popularity. Children and teens often lack education about drug safety and harm reduction strategies that can limit the harm drugs can cause. It is not a solution to tell people to “just stop using drugs.” These statements perpetuate more harm and stigma and are not focused on the safety and education of youth who may be using substances as a means to cope with mental illness or life circumstances. 

As an individual in recovery from drug addiction, I started using substances in my youth. I experimented at a young age with a variety of substances that quickly turned to misuse and unsafe practices. I developed an addiction that later led to me finding behavioral and mental health services to help with my disorder. Now, I work as a Youth Wellness Coach and help youth ages 14-18 through preventative and intervention strategies regarding mental health struggles and addiction. From this work and my own experiences, I have learned it is important to break the stigma regarding substance misuse and have open dialogue with youth about the potential harm that drugs may cause. By spreading non-judgmental drug use information, young people are able to make more informed decisions to protect themselves from potential injury or, in the worst cases, death. 

Harm reduction goes beyond needle exchanges or methadone clinics. It can start as simple as promoting incremental change that can eventually lead to abstinence, or providing Narcan in schools to reverse opioid overdose, as well as meeting people ‘where they are at’. These concepts can go a long way in helping youth understand substances and be safe if they are already engaged in substance use. Preventative and intervention oriented strategies are vital in keeping youth safe and promoting long and healthy lifestyles. It is my hope that the stigma surrounding substance use in youth populations diminishes over time. 

If you or anyone you know is struggling with substance use or an emotional crisis, help is available. Text or call 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to speak with a caring counselor 24/7.

Works Cited:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, September 29). High-risk substance use in youth. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. cdc.gov/healthyyouth/substance-use/index.htm 

Gaines, L. V., & Cohen, N. (2023, December 19). “just say no” didn’t actually protect students from drugs. here’s what could. NPR. npr.org/2023/11/09/1211217460/fentanyl-drug-education-dare#:~:text=A%20pilot%20study%20of%20the,decrease%20in%20overall%20substance%20use. 

Teenage drug use statistics [2023]: Data & Trends on abuse. NCDAS. (2024, May 2). rugabusestatistics.org/teen-drug-use/ 

UCLA Health. (2024, January 8). About 22 high school-age adolescents died each week from overdoses in 2022, driven by fentanyl-laced prescription pills. uclahealth.org/news/release/about-22-high-school-age-adolescents-died-each-week