Children Victims of Opioid Epidemic

A new study has found that young children are increasingly becoming victims of the opioid epidemic that is sweeping across the United States. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, found that the number of children under the age of 18 who were exposed to opioids has more than doubled in the past decade.




The study, which was published in the journal Pediatrics, looked at data from the National Poison Data System and found that the number of children exposed to opioids rose from 11,400 in 2006 to 28,000 in 2015. The researchers also found that the number of children who were hospitalized due to opioid exposure rose from 1,504 in 2006 to 4,569 in 2015.




The study also found that the majority of the children who were exposed to opioids were between the ages of 1 and 4. The researchers believe that this is due to the fact that young children are more likely to explore and put things in their mouths, which can lead to accidental ingestion of opioids.




The researchers also found that the majority of the children who were exposed to opioids were male, and that the majority of the exposures were unintentional. The researchers believe that this is due to the fact that young boys are more likely to explore and put things in their mouths than young girls.




The study also found that the majority of the exposures were due to prescription opioids, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone. The researchers believe that this is due to the fact that these drugs are more widely available than illicit opioids, such as heroin.




The researchers believe that the findings of the study are concerning, as they suggest that the opioid epidemic is having a direct impact on young children. They believe that more needs to be done to prevent children from being exposed to opioids, such as better education for parents and caregivers about the dangers of opioids and better access to treatment for those who are addicted.




The researchers also believe that more needs to be done to address the underlying causes of the opioid epidemic, such as poverty, mental health issues, and lack of access to healthcare. Until these issues are addressed, the researchers believe that the opioid epidemic will continue to have a devastating impact on young children.