Research shows that approximately 14% of 11th graders in Merced County have reported the use of alcohol or drugs. In the past couple of years, cannabis has replaced alcohol use among local youth. Although this doesn’t sound like much, 14% is only counting juniors in high school and doesn’t account for the students who didn’t participate in the survey or others who submitted inaccurate information. According to Mental Health Connections, “A significant portion of youth (23%) report barriers in accessing mental health support, which is often linked to substance use disorders.” Nearly 2,000 youth find support in BHRS, while many might feel that they have no support and may continue to turn to drug use to help cope. 

Many adults believe that youth drug use is mainly caused by peer pressure or influence, but the reality is more complex. A lot of teens use substances to cope with emotions, their family environment,  depression, and anxiety, while some experiment out of curiosity. According to PMC, “Evidence indicates that coping-related motivations for cannabis use have become more prevalent among adolescents, with over half (53%) reporting its use to relax.” In reflection, girls may be more likely than boys to use substances for coping reasons, while others use drugs to relax or “feel something” when they are emotionally numb.

 The dangerous thing about drug use among youth in Merced County is the recent increase in fake prescription pills. Many of these pills are made to look real but could contain fentanyl, which can be deadly even in small amounts. In 2024, over 145,000 fake pills were found in the county. Social media has also made this problem worse, with dealers that target teens selling drugs as safe “party drugs” when, in reality, they can actually kill you.

This issue is killing people in our community. Between 2022 and 2024, 17 young people aged 16-24 died in Merced County from a drug overdose. In 2024, there were 26 deaths, with 18 being linked to fentanyl. As a youth in Merced County, I’ve seen how real this is. In 2024, my sister’s childhood friend passed away from an overdose. He was barely in his 20s and didn’t know the drugs he had were laced with fentanyl. Situations like this show how quickly things can go wrong and how serious this issue is.

Even though this problem is serious, there is still hope for change in our community. Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) is a service that helps many young people, but not everyone knows how to access it. More awareness, education, and open conversations are needed so teens can feel supported instead of turning to substances.

Drug use among youth isn’t just about making bad decisions or trying to be “cool” or “fit in.” It’s often a sign that someone is struggling. If we focus on supporting and understanding youth, we can start making a real difference in our community and lower the statistics of drug use and overdose.

Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Merced is located at 301 E. 13th Street, Suite A
Merced, CA 95341. To access Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Services please call their 24/7 Access Line at (209) 381-6800 or toll free (888) 334-0163.

Works Cited

DEA.gov: Home, https://www.dea.gov/. Accessed 19 March 2026.

“Cannabis Use in Adolescents – PMC.” PMC, 26 September 2025, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12483347/. Accessed 19 March 2026.

“Impact in Merced County.” County of Merced, CivicPlus, https://www.countyofmerced.com/4130/Impact-in-Merced-County.

“Youth Treatment.” Merced County, https://www.countyofmerced.com/463/Adolescent-Treatment. Accessed 19 March 2026.