HOUSTON – In recent years, Harris County has seen a dramatic increase in drug-related deaths, hospitalizations, and healthcare visits, with teenagers being particularly affected.
According to new data from Harris County Public Health, the surge in substance abuse and its deadly consequences has become an alarming trend, with the number of substance-involved deaths increasing by 74% between 2018 and 2022.
The Teen crisis: Addiction and overdose
One parent, Dennis, shared a personal account of his teenage son’s struggle with addiction. “He hid it fairly well,” Dennis recalls, reflecting on how he didn’t realize his son was battling a drug addiction for over a year before the issue became clear. His son’s addiction, which began around the age of 13, took a devastating toll on the family. Dennis described the overwhelming emotions he experienced when he first learned of his son’s struggles, saying, “My first thought was… how could he do this? He has a loving family. Where did he learn this from?”
The report from Harris County Public Health highlights that youth between the ages of 15 and 19 have the highest rates of drug-related deaths and hospitalizations. The widespread availability of drugs through social media platforms is partly to blame, making it easier for teens to access harmful substances. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, is often mixed into pills that are sold as legitimate medications and/or for dangerous drug use, leading to a significant number of overdose deaths.
Fentanyl’s lethal presence
The crisis is compounded by the rise of fentanyl, which is frequently found in pills that teens buy online. These counterfeit pills, often marketed as prescription medications, are produced in illicit labs, and many teens don’t realize the danger they pose.
“We’re seeing fentanyl oftentimes mixed in these press pills because it’s cheap,” explains George Youngblood, who runs Teen and Family Services, a local recovery center. “Even kids that don’t know they’re abusing fentanyl may test positive for it, and it surprises them as much as anyone else.”
Youngblood emphasizes that the deceptive nature of these drugs, combined with teens’ lack of awareness, is contributing to the sharp increase in hospitalizations and overdose deaths in the area. Teens may not know they are taking fentanyl, which significantly raises the risk of overdose.
A plan for prevention and recovery
Harris County Public Health is taking action to address the growing drug crisis. New initiatives aim to prevent further harm and help teens in recovery. One key initiative is Narcan training, which teaches individuals how to administer a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose in real time. Additionally, the county is focusing on peer recovery programs, like those run by Teen and Family Services, where teens who have completed drug recovery programs help other teens who are currently struggling with substance use.
These efforts are part of a broader push to stem the tide of drug abuse in Harris County, particularly among vulnerable young people. The hope is that through education, intervention, and support, fewer families will have to experience the devastation of drug addiction and overdose.
A growing concern for families
It’s been nearly two years since Dennis’ son has used drugs. He says his son’s sobriety is a blessing. For families like Dennis’, the emotional and psychological toll of having a child struggling with addiction is profound, but as the data finds, he says many families in the Harris County area share this same struggle. He reflects on the pain of seeing his son lose a close friend to a drug overdose, stating, “That was one of the hardest things—to see my son go through that guilt and that pain and the shame.”
He says the stigma and shame surrounding teen drug use is stopping important conversations.
“On one side, parents are hurting for their child but the fear of possibly pushing the child further away causes a type of paralysis” He said. “On the other side, the child struggling with addiction is also hurting and wants help, but the fear of judgement or being viewed as weak and ‘a bad kid’ causes them to stay isolated.”
He says open conversations could help save families.
“Don’t worry about saying the perfect thing. If we speak from the heart, it may not be the correct words, but it will be the right message. “
As the number of drug-related hospitalizations and deaths continue to rise, it’s clear that this issue is one that affects not just teens but their families and communities as a whole. Efforts to curb the spread of dangerous substances and provide support for those in recovery are crucial in combating the ongoing crisis.
With a stronger focus on prevention, education, and community-driven support systems, Harris County hopes to reverse this troubling trend and reduce the impact of substance abuse on its young population.
