U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) is cosponsoring bipartisan legislation targeting the rising incidences of overdoses in elementary and secondary schools brought on by increased student use of counterfeit pills and fentanyl-laced drugs.
“Far too many American students have been or know someone deeply affected by the opioid crisis,” Rep. Joyce said on Wednesday. “While I support prevention first and foremost, we should be making every effort to save our students’ lives.”
The congressman on June 10 introduced the School Access to Naloxone Act, H.R. 9251, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Kelly Morrison (D-MN) to provide federal funds to schools to buy and store overdose-reversal medications, such as naloxone, for use by trained professionals in school settings.
“Naloxone has proven to be a safe and effective opioid reversal medication, and expanding access to it could save countless lives,” said Rep. Joyce. “At a time when fentanyl is increasingly found in counterfeit pills and other illicit drugs, a single mistake can have deadly consequences.”
While current law already authorizes grant funding to support naloxone access, training, and distribution, it is primarily focused on prescribing such medications and does not clearly address their administration in school settings, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
H.R. 9251 would clarify that existing funds may be used for the administration of overdose-reversal drugs and would create a new, school-specific grant program to ensure the resources reach K–12 schools.
Also under the bill, eligible entities could receive funding to equip schools with naloxone, maintain an accessible supply, and ensure trained personnel are available to respond to suspected overdoses during school hours, the summary says.
The measure also would require participating schools to designate and train staff and ensure states confirm adequate civil liability protections for personnel administering treatment.
“Our nation is facing a youth mental health crisis, and we need to make sure we are tackling it from every direction,” Rep. Morrison said. “Our children’s health and safety is not a partisan issue.”
U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Rick Scott (R-FL) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.