A Scoping Review of Youth Overdose Prevention Interventions.

The recent years have seen a significant increase in opioid overdose deaths among young individuals, those 24 years of age and younger, despite a decrease in the overall prevalence of substance use. This trend highlights the need for effective interventions to prevent youth overdose. A recent study aimed to address this issue by identifying and summarizing existing youth overdose prevention interventions and determining what is required to refine, implement, and disseminate this critical information. The study used a systematic approach to search for peer-reviewed descriptions of youth overdose prevention education interventions from 2010 to 2023, utilizing databases such as PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Additionally, the researchers searched US government institutions and news outlets to identify relevant information in the gray literature. The study found a total of 16 unique programs that met the inclusion criteria, with 9 programs identified in the peer-reviewed literature and 7 in the gray literature. Half of the studies (8 programs) described overdose prevention interventions with some evaluation component, indicating an improvement in overdose prevention knowledge. However, the majority of programs lack evaluation data on their effectiveness in reducing opioid overdoses. This scoping review highlights the limited number of youth-specific overdose prevention interventions available, emphasizing the urgent need to develop, implement, and test interventions that address the gaps in the youth overdose prevention landscape. The study's findings underscore the importance of creating and evaluating effective interventions to prevent youth overdose, ultimately reducing the alarming rate of opioid overdose deaths among young individuals. By refining and disseminating existing knowledge, it is possible to make a significant impact on this critical public health issue. Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40344021/