Illustrating Opioid Addiction

Young People Overdose Death

A Teacher’s Guide

General Facts

In 2017, the two main causes for death for people age 0-29 in the US were preventable injury and suicide.  The top two preventable injuries are poisoning and motor vehicle accidents, which together account for over 60% of cases.

In Georgia, the likelihood of being killed  by motor vehicle accident or drug overdose is very similar.

Addiction starts as early as during infancy, but key risk periods are major transition periods, like elementary school to middle school and middle school to high school

2 in 10 persons in the age of 14-24 are prescribed opioids in GA in 2017.

Do students feel different in counties with opioid death?

Deaths opioids 1320 to death motor vehicle accidents 1430

Ratio 1.00 : 1.08

The 2017 student health survey (link) revealed that schools in counties without opioid drug deaths, have better scores in 87 of 122 (71%) questions / 12 of 16 question categories

The categories most predictable for counties with opioid death are:

• School Climate
  • I feel my school has high standards for achievement
  • My school sets clear rules for behavior
  • The behaviors in my classroom allow the teacher to teach so I can learn
  • Students are frequently recognized for good behavior
  • I know an adult at school that I can talk with if I need help
  • I know what to do if there is an emergency at my school
  • I would help someone who was being bullied
• Peer and Social Support
  • I get along with other students at school
  • I know a student at my school that I can talk to if I need help
  • I know a student at my school that I can talk to if I am feeling sad or down
  • I have a group of friends at school that I have fun with and are nice to me
  • Students in my school are welcoming to new students.