Teens and Opioids
Contributed by Michael P. Carson, MyHouse of Mat-Su and Chair of the Mat-Su Youth and Behavioral Health Task Force
Nationally, teen opioid misuse has declined (Addiction Policy Forum, March 6).
Unfortunately, that is not the case in Alaska.
Since 2019, Alaska has seen no significant decrease in the misuse of prescription pain medications such as Percocet, OxyContin, Hydrocodone, and codeine. According to the 2023 Alaska Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 13–15% of youth reported taking pain medications without a prescription or differently than prescribed—misuse—with females at the higher end of that percentage.
Additionally, 6% of youth reported currently misusing pain medications within the past 30 days. No matter how you look at it, this is too many youth misusing pain medications. Even small amounts of opioid misuse put youth at serious risk of harm. These drugs—whether prescribed or illicit—are highly addictive and can alter brain function, impair decision-making, and disrupt the brain’s reward system.
With no significant decline in opioid misuse among Alaskan youth, we must ask: Do teens believe prescription medications are safe, even when misused? Are they using opioids as a way to cope with stress, grief, family disruption, or personal trauma? Do youth have an unrealistic and mistaken belief that negative consequences are less likely to happen to them?
If a young person starts seeking more pills, the risk becomes severe—even deadly. We know 7 out of 10 illicit pills on the street may contain Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid. Just 2mg—an amount small enough to fit on a pencil tip—can be fatal.
Despite these risks, the majority of Alaskan youth are making healthy, drug-free choices, and we should celebrate that. But the reality and fact remain: One Pill Can Kill.
We must ensure all Alaskan youth understand the real and life-threatening consequences of opioid misuse. This starts with education, including open, honest conversations—early and often.
Misuse can lead to addiction, and addiction can change a life forever.
Let’s work together—parents, educators, and community leaders—to protect our youth and prevent opioid misuse before it starts. This includes peer-led initiatives, where trained youth encourage their peers to seek guidance from a trusted adult before a crisis occurs.
Special note: Alaska high schools conduct the YRBS during the spring of odd-numbered years with results reported in the fall.