Protecting American teenagers and college students from opioid overdose

The start of the school year is a busy and exciting time for students and their families. But as we continue to grapple with a national opioid crisis, parents, educators, school administrators, and community leaders face questions on how to best protect teenagers and young adults from the risk of opioid overdose.

Opioid overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, with over 80,000 lives lost in 2023 alone. Teenagers and young adults are dying at unacceptable rates - 22 high school-aged teens died each week from an accidental overdose in 2022, driven by fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills.

According to a new survey conducted by Bryter Global on behalf of Emergent BioSolutions, Americans show strong support for improving education around the risks of opioids and how to respond to an overdose, as well as expanding access to life-saving medication like NARCAN® Nasal Spray.

A majority of Americans surveyed believe it is important that teenagers and college-age kids, as well as teachers, coaches, and other professionals around them, have access to NARCAN® Nasal Spray. And 91% believe it's important for schools, public libraries, and dormitories to have NARCAN® Nasal Spray on hand in case of an opioid overdose emergency.

CDC data suggests two-thirds of adolescent drug poisoning deaths occur with bystanders present, which is why we believe getting opioid overdose reversal medication into the hands of as many people as possible can help save more lives. That means putting NARCAN® Nasal Spray into more schools, workplaces, stores, public transit, and other community spaces.

Explore the full survey results here and learn more about how to be prepared in the event of an opioid overdose emergency.