LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Children overdosing and swallowing unsafe drugs has become a big problem in Kentucky.
Startling data in the recently-released annual report from the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel, shows kids in Kentucky are ingesting dangerous drugs at a concerning rate.
"The public just is not aware of how potentially dangerous these substances are if they fall into the hands of young children," said panelist and child abuse pediatrician Dr. Melissa Currie.
The report shows in 2024 researchers saw 98 cases where children died or almost died by taking these substances. Comparably, that number was 29 in 2019.
The most common is any substance that has THC or cannabis in it, while fentanyl is second.
"The edibles are appealing to children for the same reasons they're appealing to adults. You know, they're sweet, they taste good, they're often in fun shapes," said Dr. Currie. "Oftentimes, the packaging mimics the packaging of popular candies."
Eleven children in Kentucky died in 2024 from ingesting drugs. The report doesn't say what substance caused those deaths. Now the question is, how do we battle this issue?
Terry Brooks is the executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates, who are constantly looking at ways to make the Commonwealth safe for children.
"The good news is common sense parenting, some tougher laws on the books when this happens and a general awareness of everybody from preachers to principals to pediatricians, we think can turn the tide," said Brooks.
Now, Kentucky leaders are pushing to put this issue on parents' radar and get some harder legislation.
One of the ways state legislators are trying to combat this is through Senate Bill 204.
Part of the bill is enhancing the penalty on parents if a child under 13 years old ingests or inhales a controlled substance and suffers serious physical injury as a result. The bill also harps on making education on pediatric ingestion or inhalation of a controlled substance required for certain professionals.
However, the number one way experts said it can be resolved is by having adults lock up any drugs that could be dangerous to children.
"Folks know, to keep the drain cleaner and the bleach up and out of reach of children. But the reality is, we don't see those ingestions. We're seeing ingestions of these illicit substances," said Dr. Currie.
Officials do want parents to know there are lock boxes available at pediatrician offices and public health departments across the state.
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