Substance use trends among youth and importance of screenings
A discussion regarding current substance use trends for youth in the United States.
In this Contemporary Pediatrics video interview, Angela Nash, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS, associate professor, Cizik School of Nursing Faculty, UT Health Houston, explained the current trends that are being observed among youth in the United States.
Nash details that overall, youth substance abuse has dropped off in the last decade including decreases in drinking. "But the bad news is that overdose death have increased so much since 2019," said Nash.
"As of 2022," Nash added, "there were 22 overdose deaths in youth per day, and that is because of the counterfeit prescription drugs that are being sold. It's the third-leading cause of death among youth now behind firearms and moving motor vehicle accidents."
Nash explains that primary care providers have a great opportunity for screening and interjecting to help curb addiction and point youth and their families in the right direction.
"I think all primary care practices should screen for alcohol and drug use, starting at a very young age, because we do know that youth who start using any substance below the age of 15 are 5-times more likely to become addicted. The younger they start, the more likely they are to develop a substance use disorder," said Nash.
Watch above for the full discussion.
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