States involve schools in opioid preventions efforts

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Resource connection In an effort to address the increasing opioid crisis in the United States, states are involving schools in prevention efforts. Overdoses from prescription and illicit opioids killed more than 47,000 people in 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This public health crisis is an alarming epidemic that has prompted state policy makers to take preventative measures. Schools are an important part of the solution since they can educate students and families on the dangers of opioids.

States such as Arizona, New Hampshire, and Illinois are now providing grants and resources to schools to help in this effort. The grants help fund curricula, programs, and professional development to educate school staff and students on the risks of opioids and how to properly store and discard prescription drugs. To ensure that the programs are effective and culturally appropriate, grants are also used to support community partnerships with local opioid prevention organizations.

Schools are providing more information about opioids to their students through digital media, interactive lessons and resources, and newsletters. Interactive lessons provide students age-appropriate information about opioid misuse, and newsletters notify parents and caregivers about the dangers of opioids. Through the use of technology, schools are also able to track student and staff compliance with the curriculum.

In addition to educational programs, many states are providing resources to schools to manage opioid related issues. For example, Arizona has distributed naloxone, a drug used to counter the effects of a Opioid overdose, to schools so that nurses and staff can respond to an opioid-related emergency.

States’ investment in opioid prevention efforts in schools is an important part of the solution to this public health crisis. As the epidemic continues to grow, policymakers in other states are encouraged to develop similar strategies to help reduce the prevalence of opioid misuse. Schools can serve as an important vehicle for prevention in order to ensure the safety and well-being of students and families.