"Rising Child Drug Overdose Deaths: How Can Pediatricians Intervene?"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NPR
Pediatricians like Dr. Safdar Medina are treating adolescents with opioid addiction using medications like buprenorphine, but only 6% of pediatricians offer this treatment despite a rise in overdose deaths among 10-19-year-olds. The lack of training and resources, along with the prevalence of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl, complicates efforts to combat overdoses. Experts suggest pediatricians should screen for drug use, prescribe naloxone, and engage in conversations about substance abuse. Despite concerns about side effects, buprenorphine is seen as a critical tool in saving young lives from opioid overdose.