Study finds young people struggle to stay on opioid treatment

A study of Medicaid claims for nearly 230,000 people aged 13–25 found major gaps in opioid-use-disorder care, STAT reports. About half began care; among those engaged in treatment, roughly one in six received medication and one in 32 continued for six months. Medication access improved only modestly over 2016–2023, while sustained treatment remained uncommon.