CHARLOTTE -- The opioid epidemic is hitting a secondary group of victims -- children.

The Centers for Disease Control released a study earlier this week showing the number of children admitted to hospitals for opioid overdose has nearly doubled since 2004.

Researchers believe many of these cases were likely caused by the child finding the prescription drug at home.

"The problem with that age group is these are very potent drugs, and a very small amount of these agents in a child can be deadly," said Carolinas Poison Control Director Anna Dulaney.

In 2015, the Carolinas Poison Control Center received about 700 calls of pediatric opioid overdoses. About half of those were teenagers who most likely intentionally took the drugs.