RICHMOND — The General Assembly is considering a bill to support youth education and prevent fatal overdoses amid the opioid epidemic.
The bipartisan bill, Senate Bill 726, was introduced by Sen. Todd Pillion (R-Abingdon) and incorporates a similar bill from Sen. Stella Pekarski (D-Fairfax).
The bill, which passed the Senate unanimously, requires school boards to develop instructional programs for ninth through 12th grade students on opioid overdose prevention and reversal.
This type of education includes how to identify an overdose and how to administer drugs such as naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose. Naloxone is a generic version of the brand name drug Narcan.
A replacement version of the bill came out of the committee and removed the requirement that such instruction be completed by graduation. The bill's language currently only recommends completion by graduation.
Public schools would be required to administer two doses of naloxone on campus and develop training protocols and policies for its use.
“While it is unfortunate that this bill is needed, the bipartisan support for SB 726 ensures that schools and state agencies work together to confront the reality of dangerous and potentially life-threatening drugs in schools. Thank you for your support,” Pillion said in a statement. Email interview.
The bill would require the state Department of Health and the Department of Education to help develop policies and guidelines by next January, and local school boards to implement the guidelines by the 2026-27 school year.
Rep. Brianna Sewell, a Woodbridge Democrat, introduced House Bill 732, which would require all public schools to have two doses of naloxone by the 2026-27 school year. At least one of her school nurses or other employees must be trained in its operation.
Currently, public schools are allowed, but not required, to provide naloxone and train staff in its use.
Both bills include a “good faith” clause that protects employees who administer opioid antidotes without prior training from disciplinary action and civil and criminal liability.
HB 732 also has bipartisan support and was approved unanimously by the Education and Appropriations committees.
“This bill focuses on access and training in the use of naloxone in schools because these programs are proven to prevent deaths and are cost-effective,” Sewell said in an e-mail. stated in an email.
Mr. Sewell worked with several education organizations, including the Virginia Elementary School Principals Association, to review the bill and best address the challenges facing schools.
The number of unintentional opioid overdose emergency department visits among adolescents increased from 2018 to 2022, according to data from the Virginia Department of Health. In the age group 14 and under, the number of visitors increased by approximately 16%. In the age group 15-19 years he increased by more than 13%.
Fatal overdoses from all opioids increased last year, according to preliminary data from VDH. Opioids, especially illicit fentanyl, have been the driving force behind a significant increase in fatal overdoses since 2013.
At least 10 suspected overdoses have occurred in Loudoun County public schools this school year, according to a November statement from the superintendent. That means 10 students received treatment and four received naloxone. Four students required naloxone throughout the previous school year.
Loudoun County had 22 nonfatal youth overdoses last year, most of them fentanyl-related, up from 15 nonfatal overdoses the year before.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order in response to the overdose at a Loudoun County school, saying parents must be alerted within 24 hours of an overdose at a school. Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Woodbridge, introduced Senate Bill 498, which would codify this. It passed the Senate unanimously and then heads to the House.
Tiana Vasquez is the education specialist for REVIVE!, the state's opioid overdose and naloxone education program. The program trains people to recognize and respond to opioid overdoses. Vasquez supports programs like REVIVE!, which would train school staff to administer naloxone if passed, HB 732 or SB 726.
Revive! Vasquez said the training will help break down the stigma against opioids.
“Honestly, it can happen to anyone and sometimes it's just a coincidence,” Vazquez said.
Opioid overdose prevention training is free and available to everyone through REVIVE! Naloxone is available over the counter without a prescription.
“This is just a medical emergency,” Vasquez said of the opioid overdose and naloxone use. “We are preparing for that.”
Capital News Service is a program of the Virginia Commonwealth University Robertson School of Media and Culture. Students in this program provide state government coverage to a variety of Virginia media outlets.
