PHOENIX — Arizona schools will now have the drug Narcan on hand in case of an overdose on campus, with state school Superintendent Tom Horne saying it is "vitally important" for schools to have the life-saving drug amid a fentanyl crisis plaguing the state.
"Sadly, overdoses are a reality for school-aged children throughout Arizona. Fentanyl can kill students within minutes of an overdose," said Horne.
According to the CDC, Narcan, also known by the generic name naloxone, can reverse an overdose from opioids, including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications when given in time.
Horne made the announcement on Tuesday.
In 2023, Arizona had more than 1,800 opioid-related deaths and more than 4,000 among all age groups.
In addition to stocking the overdose drug at school, a task force will also be created to deal with the growing crisis of fentanyl-related deaths among young people.
The STOPIT task force will be comprised of representatives from schools, health care, law enforcement and other agencies and organizations that will work together to combat the crisis.
"The rise of illicit fentanyl and its trafficking via social media is having a disproportionate impact on our children," said Horne. "This is a tragedy beyond words, it shows no sign of abating and schools are a vital resource to educate children on these dangers.”
Horne is also pushing to have anti-drug awareness materials in all schools in the state.
Organizations lending their support to combating the crisis are Terros Health and the Mayo Clinic.
“There has never been a greater need to prepare the next generation with the knowledge and tools necessary to combat the opioid epidemic," said Dr. Holly Geyer, an addiction medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale.
Dr. Karen Hoffman Tepper, president and CEO of Terros Health, said her team has witnessed the effects fentanyl has from the frontlines.
"Too many young people are being impacted by the harmful effects of fentanyl."
She said has seen Narcan save lives.
"We look forward to working collaboratively to make this life-saving tool available in every school and community."
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