Opioid Use Among Nevada Teens and its Effects

You have probably heard by now about a deadly drug affecting communities all over the country, but it's affecting teens and young adults in a major way. The percentage of overdose deaths in our state involving fentanyl in 15-24-year-olds rose from 2.7% in 2018 to 80.8% in 2023.  

How did we get here?   

Abusing drugs at an early age is strongly connected to substance abuse problems later in life.  In fact, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), high school students who are prescribed opioid pain medication for a real medical reason are 33% more likely to misuse opioids later after high school. Why?  

• They have easy access to left over medication. 

• They perceive opioids as safe at first because they were prescribed. 

• This can lead as a gateway to other harmful behavior and/or substance abuse.  
  

If you are prescribed opioid pain medication, make sure you are having an open conversation about it with your doctor and trusted adult. You can prevent future misuse by properly managing leftover medication. 

Why is it so Dangerous? 

Fentanyl, a strong synthetic opioid that is 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin, is showing up everywhere. It is being laced into pills, powders and vape pens, and it’s virtually indetectable because it has no smell or taste.  

While a teen could be introduced to opioids through a prescription, it can lead to risky behavior like getting drugs from friends or social media.  

Chances are that if it’s not from a pharmacy, it could be laced with fentanyl, and you would not even know it.  

Nevada Teens at Risk  

What is even more worrying is that Nevada is one of the few states where overdose deaths went up in early 2025, and teens in the state are 17.71% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.  

This means you and your peers are at risk. Knowing the risks can help teens make safer choices and look out for each other.  

It is equally as important to note the dangers of using drugs alone. Two thirds of overdose deaths among teens happened at home where family or friends are nearby. Because they didn’t know of the drug use or were not in the same room, help didn’t arrive on time. 

Stay Safe 

You can help make a difference. Learn the facts and spread the word about the danger of fentanyl to help keep yourself and your peers safe. Remember:  

• Never take pills that didn’t come from a pharmacy. 

• Talk to friends and family about the risks and warning signs of drug use. 

• Learn how to use naloxone (Narcan), a medicine that can reverse an overdose.  

#DontRiskItAll — Your Future Matters! 

Sources 

• NCDAS: Drug Use Among Youth: Facts & Statistics 

• CDC: Drug Overdose Deaths Among Persons Aged 10–19 Years — United States, July 2019–December 2021