Let’s Get Real
Idaho kids are facing significant challenges
Arm yourself with knowledge and facts.
Idaho is in a YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. We rank 47th for youth mental health while major depressive episodes among Idaho adolescents (age 12-17) have been rising steadily since 2015. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among Idahoans aged 10-24.
Illicit SUBSTANCES DAMAGE THE DEVELOPING BRAIN dramatically.
In the absence of mental health care, some Idaho youth are SELF-MEDICATING with easy-to-access illegal substances such as alcohol, vapes, marijuana and opioids/counterfeit pills. Half of Idaho students experiment with illicit substances before they graduate high school.
ADOLESCENT BRAINS ARE WIRED TO TAKE RISKS, especially risks that offer immediate reward. Drugs are an enticing alternative to a natural high.
With the aid of SMARTPHONES AND SOCIAL MEDIA APPS, ILLICIT DRUGS CAN BE DELIVERED WITHIN MINUTES, while access to mental health care can take months. Idaho ranks #12 in mental health care deserts.
Families, friends, peers and popular media model drug use. PEER AND FAMILY PRESSURE PLAY A KEY ROLE in adolescent substance use.
According to Idaho law enforcement and healthcare providers, ELEMENTARY-AGE CHILDREN are getting caught with and being treated for illicit drug use and injury.
The stakes are higher:
today’s DRUG LANDSCAPE IS MORE DEADLY AND DANGEROUS than ever.
Counterfeit pills and vapes can be laced with deadly traces of fentanyl. Idaho’s rate of fentanyl deaths increased more than 700% between 2020 and 2022.
Idaho has a higher rate of adolescent opioid misuse than the national average.
THC levels in marijuana are much higher and can lead to psychosis and even death among youth. Idaho adolescents report higher marijuana use rates than the national average
Vapes contain large amounts of highly addictive nicotine, cancer causing chemicals, metals and flavorings that damage developing brains, bones and lungs. 1-in-5 Idaho adolescents vape.
Data from the Idaho Governor’s Office on Drug Policy
Alcohol consumption can lead to brain damage, blackouts, behavior problems and death. The rate of Idaho adolescent alcohol use disorder is higher than the national average.