Perceived Risk of Fentanyl Use Among US Adolescents
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By
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Richard Miech
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Megan E. Patrick
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Justin Jager
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Joy Bohyun Jang
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July 7, 2026
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Clinical Scorecard: Adolescents' Perception of Fentanyl Usage Risks in the United States
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Fentanyl Usage Risks |
| Key Mechanisms | Involvement in adolescent overdose deaths, often mixed with other drugs. |
| Target Population | US adolescents in 8th, 10th, and 12th grades |
| Care Setting | Nationally representative survey study |
Key Highlights
- Fentanyl involved in at least 75% of adolescent overdose deaths.
- Overdose mortality rates among adolescents doubled from 2019 to 2020.
- Drug overdoses are the third leading cause of death among US youth.
- Average of 21 US high school-aged youth died of an overdose each week in 2023.
- First nationally representative estimates of perceived risk of fentanyl use among adolescents.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Management
Monitoring & Follow-up
Risks
- Perceived risk of fentanyl use varies by demographic factors such as sex, race, and parent educational level.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Adolescents in US high schools
Public awareness efforts may need to be targeted based on demographic groups.
Clinical Best Practices
- Utilize nationally representative data to inform public health strategies.
- Assess perceived risks of drug use among adolescents to guide prevention efforts.
Related Resources & Content
