Drug overdoses rising among Latino youth in Montgomery County

Christian Peña
·2 min read
2

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) — A report from the Montgomery County Council found that 42% of opioid-overdose emergency room visits in the county were from Latino youth, the largest percent of any other demographic in the area.

As a result of the staggering statistic, Councilwoman Natali Fani-González, of District 6, spearheaded an initiative to remove fentanyl from the hands of Marylanders by establishing clinics throughout her district where Latino patients can seek help and guidance on drug abuse.

“I’m making sure that kids also know that risks of taking a pill of fentanyl, of taking something that you don’t know what it is and using it,” Fani-González told DC News Now.

Foxtrot closing: Chain announces all Foxtrot markets in DC, Virginia, Maryland shutting down

In a newly released report by Latino non-profit, Identity 25, and the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health, it was found that youth substance abuse affects the Latino immigrant community in many ways.

“Research shows that while cultural traditions and beliefs contribute to both substance use risk and protective factors for Latino youth, structural issues increase their risk factors,” the report states.

Dr. Amy Lewin, associate professor at UMD who co-authored the report, told DC News Now that it was unclear as to why the number of Latino youth overdosing from drugs is high, but that more resources, including counseling should be available among the Latino community.

“What was really striking to me from the research we did here was how desperately in need of information both students [and] parents are,” Lewin said.

Hundreds of Montgomery County Public School students volunteered for Earth Day

Lewin said the ultimate problem among Latino youth and combating drug abuse, is not knowing who to connect with when seeking help.

“They’re [children] just afraid to talk to parents about this topic because they’re afraid that if they even raise questions or ask for help that their parents will assume they’re using [drugs]” Lewin explained.

Lewin added culture and language barriers often play a role in determining how comfortable Latinos in the area are when seeking help.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.