Sheldon Riklon, M.D., UAMS Community Health & Research

Drug overdoses are rising in Northwest Arkansas. In 2021, more than two-thirds of overdose deaths in the United States involved fentanyl. In Washington County alone, overdose deaths involving fentanyl were four times higher in 2022 than in 2020. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 85% of the overdose deaths among adolescents in the United States involved fentanyl.

May is Adolescent Health Month and a great opportunity to talk about this growing epidemic.

Fentanyl is a type of synthetic opioid that is approved for treating severe pain, especially after surgery. It is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Recently, fentanyl has been mixed into other recreational drugs, which can be especially risky. Some people taking those drugs may not realize it contains fentanyl and be more likely to overdose.

Many factors can lead to teen drug use — such as mental health issues like depression or anxiety, a family history of drug use, or a history of traumatic events — but teens also try drugs simply because they are curious. Teenagers are still learning about life and are processing a lot of information. As a parent, you can play an important role in helping your child navigate these things. Here are some things you can do to help support the young people in your life:

1. Make time to listen. Sometimes, all our teenagers need is a safe and judgment-free space to process the things going on in their lives.
2. Have conversations about drugs and alcohol. Learn about your child’s opinions on drugs and alcohol and what questions they have. Assure your child that they can be honest with you and avoid letting the conversation turn into a lecture.
3. Talk about good reasons not to use drugs. Help your child understand how casual drug use can turn into more severe dependencies, long-term physical and mental health issues, or lead to other risky behaviors. Be honest, but try to avoid causing further anxiety for your child by sticking to the facts.
4. If your child has used drugs, try to explore the reasons. We know that many young people use drugs to help them cope with other issues. Having open conversations with your child about their drug use can allow you to help them find support, treatment or healthier coping strategies.

However you choose to have those conversations with your kids, make sure you are setting your own judgments aside. Kids are more likely to be open with their parents if they feel heard, trusted and validated.

Teenagers often gain access to drugs in the form of medications prescribed to friends or family members. Because of this, it is important to properly dispose of your medications. Many law enforcement agencies allow residents to drop off their unused or expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications — no questions asked. Reach out to your local sheriff’s office or police department and ask them about their drug disposal programs. Both Fayetteville and Springdale offer such programs.

Knowing the warning signs of substance use in your teen and being prepared to start conversations about changes are also important parts of the equation. Shifts in mood and personality or sudden changes in things like friends, eating habits or physical appearance can be clues that your child is going through something that may need to be addressed. If you think your child may be using drugs or struggling with a mental health condition, there are local resources that can help:

Arisa Health

479-750-2020

arisahealth.org

Community Clinic

1-855-438-2280

communityclinicnwa.org

Dr. Riklon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and a co-investigator with UAMS Community Health & Research in Springdale. He is also the inaugural recipient of the Peter O. Kohler, M.D., Endowed Distinguished Professorship in Health Disparities. Dr. Riklon serves most of his time in clinical care, with roles at Community Clinic in Springdale as well as UAMS’s North Street Clinic and Fayetteville Family Medical Center, but also works with the UAMS Community Health and Research team in community-engaged research activities with the Marshallese community. His deep understanding of the Marshallese culture and language serve to strengthen those research efforts tremendously. Dr. Riklon is one of only two Marshallese doctors in the world who has completed medical school and residency training from United States accredited programs.

UAMS Community Health & Research is a diverse team dedicated to working with communities to create a better state of health for all. Learn more at nwa.uams.edu/chr.