WASHINGTON, D.C.-Recently introduced bipartisan legislation would fund training in and access to naloxone for school resource officers, security personnel and nurses, to address the rising rate of adolescent fentanyl overdoses.
The Stop Overdose in Schools Act was introduced by Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Reps. Kim Schrier (D-WA), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Ryan Zinke (R-MT), and John Moolenaar (R-MI).
“Fentanyl overdoses are now the leading cause of death for people ages 18-45, and no community has been left untouched by this crisis,” said Rep. Newhouse.
According to a press release on the Stop Overdose in Schools Act from Rep. Newhouse’s Office, the act would:
Set aside funding for the purchase of naloxone and training for its use.Increase access to naloxone for School Resource Officer, security personnel and School Nurses.Require that 50 percent of grants for naloxone and training be provided to rural school districts.Require the remaining 50 percent of grants be prioritized toward school districts identified within areas of high numbers of drug-related overdoses by youth.Address the rising youth overdose rate.
“Opioid overdose deaths among children and adolescents have risen exponentially in the last several years, and some of those young lives could have been saved if they had been treated quickly,” said Rep Strickland of the Stop Overdose in Schools Act.
