Children and Young People reported overdose increase

It has been brought to my attention that we have had an apparent increase in children and young people’s overdoses across the region, especially with paracetamol and would like to highlight this issue with schools and partners and ask you to share the information below through your parent mail networks.

This email is not intended to cause alarm but to raise awareness and help our parents to be vigilant.

Parent information

We are reminding all parents and carers of the importance of being vigilant regarding the risks of paracetamol and other medications in the home, that could be accessed by children and young people who are at risk of self-harm. Please be especially mindful of extra stocks of paracetamol and cold and flu relief medication that may have been purchased in response to the pandemic and ensure home supplies are kept at a safe minimum and stored securely in such a way to avoid children and young people coming to harm.

Please be vigilant also regarding identification of any suspicious purchasing of medication including repeat purchases or attempts to purchase larger quantities and attempts to secret or store medication for personal use.

Please NHS 111 your GP and / or care provider or the CAMHS Crisis line number regarding any concerns that you may have regarding the emotional health and wellbeing of your child or young person.

We have included children and young people’s Crisis Line Numbers for your information:

Under 18s (children and young people services or children and adolescent mental health services)

For residents of Kent and Medway, you can call the 24 hour Single Point of Access (provided by North East London Foundation Trust) on 0800 011 3474 (select option one, then option three).