2026 OCAP State of the Child Report

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PERCENT OF TEENS REPORTING RECENT DRUG/ALCOHOL USE DECLINED WHILE CHRONIC SADNESS INCREASED DESCRIPTION OF INDICATOR The indicator provides a snapshot of some measurements for chronic sadness, suicide thoughts, depression and substance use, hospitalizations and suicide rates.

Why is this indicator important?

Findings 1 • The percentage of students who reported experiencing chronic sadness increased between 2017 and 2023, while students reporting drug and/or alcohol use within the past 30 days declined for the same year-over year period. • From 2020 to 2024, Black/African American and Asian youth experienced the highest rates of suicide, followed by Hispanic youth, with the lowest rates occurring among white youth. • From 2020 to 2024, 190 youths between the ages of 10 to 25 died by suicide in Riverside County. Youth aged 18 to 25 accounted for most deaths, with males represented across all age groups. Although males experience higher rates of suicide deaths, females experience higher rates of suicide attempts. • Frequently identified risk factors for youth suicide included mental health conditions, previous suicidal ideation, and substance use. Previous contact with child protective services was more common among younger youth, while job loss and law enforcement contact were more common among older youth, according to data provided by the Riverside County Sheriff Coroner’s Bureau. 3

Adolescents who begin using substances face a range of lifelong impacts because their brains are still developing, particularly in areas responsible for decision making, impulse control, and reward processing. Early use increases the likelihood of developing a substance use disorder in adulthood, as alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and other drugs can alter neural pathways tied to reward and self regulation. Research also shows that adolescent substance use can disrupt normal brain maturation, leading to long term effects on memory, attention, learning, and executive functioning. These neurological changes are often accompanied by higher risks of depression, anxiety, suicidality, and other mental health conditions, especially when substance use begins before age 15. Teens who use substances are also more likely to experience poorer academic performance, lower educational attainment, reduced lifetime earnings, and unstable employment. Over time, early substance use increases the risk of chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems, liver disease, and cognitive decline. It is also associated with higher rates of injuries, motor vehicle crashes, overdose, and early mortality, as well as increased involvement with the justice system. Together, these findings show that substance use beginning in adolescence can have lasting effects on health, development, and long term well being. 2

1 aamc.org (Association of American Medical Colleges), Rivcospc.org (Riverside County Suicide Prevention Coalition), Riverside University Health System Public Health, Health Matters Brief Youth Suicide Mortality published September 2025, California Department of Public Health 2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Youth substance use and risks to health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov and National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020a). Principles of adolescent substance use disorder treatment: A research based guide. National Institutes of Health. 3 Riverside University Health System--Public Health, Epidemiology Program Evaluation. Health Matters Brief (2025). Youth Suicide Mortality in Riverside County (2020 2024).

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