Protecting Our Kids: What Parents Need to Know About Substance Exposures at School

As parents, we usually think of school as one of the safest places for our children. However, a recent study by the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Central Ohio Poison Center reveals a trend that all parents should have on their radar: reported intentional substance exposures at school are on the rise, and it is happening at younger ages than before.

The study analyzed data from U.S. poison centers from 2000 through 2024. The rate of reported intentional substance exposures at school increased by 77.5% from 2000 to 2024.

Changing trend by age group

The most surprising takeaway from the study is how the age patterns have changed over time. While high schoolers used to make up most of these calls, the numbers are climbing sharply for younger students:

• Elementary school (ages 6–10): The rate of reported exposures increased by 287%.
• Middle school (ages 11–13): The rate of reported exposures jumped by 112%. Around 2015, the rate of these calls for middle schoolers actually surpassed the rate for high schoolers.
• High school (ages 14–18): The rate of reported exposures actually decreased slightly by 4%. However, high schoolers still account for nearly half (46%) of all school exposures, and they face the highest risk for serious medical outcomes and hospital admissions.

What exactly are kids getting into?

The types of substances involved change as children grow. The study highlights that the leading categories include:

• Elementary school (6-10 years): cosmetics/personal care products, arts/crafts/office supplies, plants, and foreign bodies/toys/miscellaneous
• Middle school (11-13 years): cosmetics/personal care products, arts/crafts/office supplies, foreign bodies/toys/miscellaneous, and analgesics
• High school (14-18 years): analgesics, stimulants and street drugs, sedative/hypnotic/antipsychotic medications, and cough and cold preparations.

What does “intentional exposure” mean?

1. Intentional misuse (62% of cases): This means a child used a substance improperly, but not to get high. For younger children, this might involve a dare or deliberately using a product in a way it wasn't intended to be used.
2. Substance abuse (24% of cases): This refers to recreational use specifically to get high. The study found that substance abuse was 4.5 times more likely to result in a serious medical outcome compared to non-abuse situations.
3. Suspected self-harm or suicidal intent (14% of cases): This is a critical concern primarily affecting older adolescents. These situations were twice as likely to result in serious medical outcomes.

What can parents and caregivers do?

Prevention needs to start much earlier than high school. Parents and caregivers can take a few steps today to keep their kids safer:

• Practice safe storage: store dangerous products including medication, supplements, and personal care items up, away, and out of sight—preferably in a locked cabinet, drawer or box.
• Talk early and often:Talk to elementary and middle school students about the dangers of using products in ways they aren't intended and talk about the risks of schoolyard "dares" involving non-food items.
• Check in on mental health: Because self-harm and substance abuse are closely linked to the most severe cases, keep communication open regarding your teen's emotional well-being.
• Save the national Poison Help Line number (1-800-222-1222) in your phone and post it in a visible place in your home. The Poison Help Line provides free, confidential advice from experts, 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
• The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:988 – Offers 24/7 judgment-free support via call, text, or chat for anyone struggling with mental health, substance use, or an emotional crisis.