Since 2020, fatal synthetic opioid-only overdose rates higher than polydrug overdose rates involving synthetic opioids
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, May 29, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Among U.S. youth, overdose deaths attributable to synthetic opioids alone are increasingly predominant, according to a study published online May 20 in Pediatrics.
Megan Miller, M.P.H., from the New York University Grossman School of Medicine in New York City, and colleagues examined trends in overdose deaths involving combinations of synthetic opioids with benzodiazepine, cocaine, heroin, prescription opioids, and other stimulants. Findings were based on U.S. youth aged 15 to 24 years from 2018 to 2022 using the National Vital Statistics System multiple cause of death datasets.
The researchers found that between 2018 and 2022, overdose death counts increased from 4,652 to 6,723 (10.85 to 15.16 per 100,000), with a slight decrease between 2021 and 2022. Deaths involving synthetic opioids only showed the largest increases (1.8 to 4.8 deaths per 100,000). Regardless of race, ethnicity, or sex, fatal synthetic opioid-only overdose rates were higher than polydrug overdose rates involving synthetic opioids since 2020. In 2022, rates of synthetic-only overdose deaths were 2.49- and 2.15-times higher among male versus female youth and among those aged 20 to 24 versus 15 to 19 years, respectively.
“These findings shed light on the changing realities and risks of the drug supply and how they impact key demographic groups and the urgent need for education and harm-reduction efforts tailored to youth to prevent further death and suffering among this important and understudied population,” the authors write.
One author disclosed receiving compensation for expert witness testimony as part of ongoing opioid litigation.
Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
