Abstract
Background: The global opioid crisis is increasingly affecting youth, defined by the United Nations as ages 15–24 and young adults up to age 29 (United Nations, 2023). In the United States, 1 in 5 opioid overdose deaths occur in individuals under 30 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024). Across Europe, overdose mortality is highest among males aged 25–39 in northern and western regions (European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction [EMCDDA], 2024). Emerging synthetic opioids such as nitazenes have been identified in West African street drugs like “kush,” triggering public health emergencies disproportionately impacting youth (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime [UNODC], 2024). Globally, opioids account for 80% of the 600,000 drug-related deaths, including 125,000 overdose deaths annually (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023).
Purpose: This study aligns the opioid crisis in youth with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 3 (Health), SDG 4 (Education), and SDG 17 (Sustainable Partnerships). It proposes a youth-centered, technology-enabled prevention and advocacy framework.
Methods/Interventions: Evidence-based strategies include digital education (TikTok, chatbots, gamified school modules), social listening tools (WHO EARS), and game-based SEL curricula (UNESCO MGIEP). Community interventions include naloxone distribution, lay responder training (WHO, 2023), and peer navigators. Global platforms such as UNESCO Youth Forum and UN ECOSOC Youth Forum provide opportunities for youth-led policy recommendations. UNODC DAPC grants support youth prevention projects.
Collaborations: Key partners include WHO, UNODC, UNESCO, Global Shapers, Sigma, NAMI, and community leaders such as Mobile Moms. Voices from global and community perspectives highlight lack of access, stigma, and the need for culturally responsive prevention. Outcomes & Evaluation: Success will be measured through school surveys, digital campaign reach, naloxone utilization, and youth advocate retention. The goal is to build a measurable, scalable youth-led prevention movement that reframes opioid misuse as both a health and youth rights issue.
Conclusion: Opioid mortality among youth is rising globally (Xiong et al., 2024). Addressing this crisis requires integrating health, education, and partnerships to empower youth as leaders in prevention, advocacy, and policy change.
Sigma Membership
Nu Beta at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Video Recording
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Opioid Crisis, Opioid Exposure, Youth Mental Health, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs
Recommended Citation
Wilmer, Sterling A., "The Global Crisis of Opiate Exposure in Youth" (2025). Global Advocacy. 16.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/ga_series/16
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Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
None: Event Material, Invited Presentation
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-10-13
Full Text of Presentation
wf_yes
Description
The author was a participant in Global Advocacy, Sigma's virtual mini academy during the September/October 2025 cohort. This submission represents the academy's required Action Plan Presentation which occurs in week six of the program.