A Growing Crisis: California’s Children Face New Invisible Danger

The fentanyl epidemic poses grave dangers to California’s children, as sobering stories of youthful overdose emerge.

At a Glance

Fentanyl-related teen overdose deaths nearly tripled from 2019 to 2021.
Fentanyl was involved in 84% of all teen overdose deaths in 2021.
Schools are stocking naloxone (Narcan) to counter opioid overdoses.
California experiences a swiftly growing fentanyl crisis affecting youth and adults.
U.S. deaths involving opioids surpassed 80,400 in 2021.

The Rising Threat to Young Lives

California faces a severe fentanyl crisis, dramatically impacting its youth. Fentanyl, a powerful opioid often mixed with other drugs, has significantly contributed to unintended overdoses among teenagers. Statistics from the California Department of Education reveal an alarming increase in teen deaths linked to fentanyl, rising from 2019 to 2021 by nearly threefold.

In 2021 alone, fentanyl was involved in 84% of all teen overdose deaths. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has responded by stocking naloxone, an opioid reversal drug, in its schools. Alberto Carvalho, the LAUSD superintendent, emphasized the pervasive nature of the problem, “Fentanyl’s infiltration into schools is certainly something that cannot be ignored.”

The Role of Naloxone

Health professionals urge widespread naloxone (Narcan) use to mitigate opioid overdoses. Naloxone works swiftly, binding to opioid receptors and reversing their effects, critical for reviving overdose victims. Awareness about naloxone’s life-saving potential has grown, especially following the FDA’s approval of its over-the-counter availability in March 2023.

Despite the measures, the availability and potency of fentanyl make it a formidable threat. According to the CDC, potent drugs like fentanyl and the exacerbation of mental health issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic contribute to the rising overdose deaths among teens. Only five of the 20 largest U.S. school districts confirmed having naloxone in all their schools.

The Scale of the Crisis

California’s fentanyl crisis extends beyond teens, severely impacting younger children. In March 2023, reports indicated 539 cases of fentanyl exposure in children under six, a stark contrast to just 10 cases in 2016. Tragically, California reported 11 fentanyl-related deaths in children under five within the first three quarters of 2023.

“We cannot close our eyes. We cannot look the other way,” said Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The crisis is rooted in fentanyl’s extreme potency, being 50 to 100 times stronger than heroin or morphine, making it deadly in minuscule amounts. Efforts to combat this crisis must encompass community involvement. This includes families, schools, and every level of government working in unison.