Opioid Overdose Response and Naloxone Education in Schools.

Abstract

Background: The opioid crisis continues to claim lives across the United States, which has led to increased attention toward harm reduction strategies as methods for addressing this public health issue. Specifically, naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug, became available over-the-counter in 2023, greatly improving its accessibility. However, despite this progress, general awareness about how to use naloxone remains limited, especially among youth who are being increasingly impacted by the opioid epidemic.

Implications for school health policy, practice, and equity: Integrating opioid overdose response and naloxone education into high school health curricula is a promising strategy to equip students with the knowledge to recognize the signs of an overdose and respond effectively. Pilot programs and trainings have already demonstrated the effectiveness of such educational initiatives. However, widespread implementation of such education remains a challenge without broader community support and systemic action. For this reason, policy-level interventions, such as those being done in Texas, Virginia, Colorado, and Massachusetts, could play a crucial role in bridging this gap and implementing life-saving education into classrooms.