Current Opiate and Opioid Hazards in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

The use of opiates and opioids by both adults and children is a growing problem in the United States. With the increased prevalence of prescription opioid misuse, efforts have been aimed to control the spread of this epidemic. Prescription opioids, however, only represent a portion of the opiate-like products available through prescription or illicit means. We describe the hazards and increased use of opioid-related products such as heroin, fentanyl, and buprenorphine as well as emerging products of abuse such as Kratom, loperamide, and carfentanil.