Opioids in Schools: K-12 Requirements and Programming By: Matt Shafer, Policy Analyst, and Jay Phillips, Intern The misuse of and addiction to opioids—including prescription pain relievers, heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl—is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare. Schools play a vital role in intervention following the death of a loved one or management of addiction. The National Institute on Drug Abuse collected data regarding the use of drugs by eighth, 10th, and 12th graders. Below shows the data collected in percentages: The data showed that the percent of eighth graders using heroin was 0.30 percent, OxyContin was 0.80 percent, and Vicodin was 0.70 percent; 0.20 percent of 10th graders used heroin, 2.2 percent used OxyContin, 1.5 percent used Vicodin. The numbers for 12th grade, respectively, were 0.40 percent, 2.7 percent, 2 percent, as well as 4.2 percent using narcotics other than heroin. Federally, there are numerous resources available to schools, including webinars, statistics, information on the crisis and comprehensive information on the dangers of opioids. These resources can be found on the U.S. Department of Education website. The website also lays out the responsibility of schools in the crisis and different ways the community can help. Another valuable resource is the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices, or NREPP, which is a database for strategies on implementation on a variety of behavioral health interventions, including opioid addiction and prevention. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Discovery Education partnered to bring curriculum to schools nationwide. Operation Prevention provides classroom resources, toolkits and education modules for students to use. The website states it has been used to reach two million students. Other programs such as Communities That Care, which is based on an entire community approach, provide tools to make decisions about the best evidence-based prevention. The use of this program has shown promising results in more areas than opioids. Many states require continuing education for teachers and education professionals regarding opioids, however, not all states have programs targeted toward youth. The table below displays information on state programs and requirements of states regarding opioids and schools.
Opioids in Schools: Requirements and Programming STATE
BILL REFERENCE
SUMMARY
STATUS
ARKANSAS
N/A
Prescription for Life program implemented by the Arkansas Attorney General. Provides high school curriculum for empowerment regarding the use of drugs and other choices.
Implemented
CALIFORNIA
EDC 49414.3
Permits use of opioid antagonist in schools.
Enacted
Getting Results is a database for school districts regarding strategies for implementing programs on drugs. COLORADO
N/A
Rise Above Colorado uses public education strategies and community outreach to alter young people’s perceptions on substances with the goal of reducing use.
Implemented
Opioids in Schools: Requirements and Programming (cont.) STATE
BILL REFERENCE
SUMMARY
STATUS
ILLINOIS
ILCS 5/22-30
Permits use of opioid antagonist in schools.
Enacted
KANSAS
HB 2217
Permits use of opioid antagonist in schools.
Enacted
KENTUCKY
HB 145
Requires physical and health education instruction in prescription opioid abuse prevention and the connection between the abuse and gateway drugs.
Failed—Died in rules committee of Senate
LOUISIANA
Act 88
Establishes an “Advisory Council on Heroin and Opioid Prevention” that coordinates resources and expertise on a statewide response.
Enacted
MARYLAND
HB 1082 and SB 1060
Establish curriculum development requirements and implementation in classrooms on opioids and their dangers.
Enacted
Maryland’s toolkit addresses how to deter students from drugs based on education strategies implemented in the classroom. MASSACHUSETTS
N/A
Project Here is a public-private initiative that provides programming to all public middle school students.
Implemented
MICHIGAN
HB 4406 and HB 4407
The House bills establish curriculum development requirements in classrooms on opioids and their dangers.
Enacted
Michigan Model for Health is a program for K-12 students that teaches the dangers of use and addiction. MINNESOTA
SF 730
Establishes requirement for development of public education curriculum for adults and youth on opioids, not required in schools.
Pending
MONTANA
Code 20-5-426
Permits use of opioid antagonist in schools.
Enacted
NEW JERSEY
N/A
Curriculum being developed for implementation and adoption tailored to age group. Stems from request by governor.
N/A
Fact sheet for student athletes; New Jersey provides a fast facts sheet regarding the use of opioids for student athletes. NEW MEXICO
N/A
Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) offers programming to school districts regarding opioids. A variety of guides, information and speakers are available upon request.
N/A
Opioids in Schools: Requirements and Programming (cont.) STATE
BILL REFERENCE
SUMMARY
STATUS
NEW YORK
AB 9668
Permits use of opioid antagonist in schools.
Pending
Registry of Evidence-based Programs for Prevention provides evidence-based suggestions for implementation on drug prevention in schools. NORTH DAKOTA
N/A
Prevention Resource and Media Center provides resources to North Dakota residents. For K-12, the site has materials based on age appropriateness to prevent addiction.
Implemented
OHIO
HB 367
Establishes curriculum development requirements and implementation in classrooms on opioids and their dangers, program is now known as HOPE curriculum.
Enacted
PENNSYLVANIA
Act 55
Establish curriculum development requirements and implementation in classrooms on opioids and their dangers.
Enacted
SOUTH CAROLINA
H. 3820
Establish curriculum development requirements and implementation in classrooms on opioids and their dangers.
Pending
TENNESSEE
SB 458
Permits use of opioid antagonist in schools.
Enacted
UTAH
Opiate Overdose Response Act
Permits use of opioid antagonist in schools.
Enacted
VIRGINIA
54.1-3408
Permits use of opioid antagonist in schools.
Enacted
WISCONSIN
Act 29
Permits use of opioid antagonist in schools.
Enacted
WEST VIRGINIA
SB 36
Permits use of opioid antagonist in schools.
Enacted
State Spotlight: Maryland In 2017, as part of the Gov. Larry Hogan’s heroin and opioid initiative, Maryland formed the Opioid Operational Command Center, or OOCC. The center is not a physical location, but rather a coordinating body of local, state, and federal agencies that have come together to address the opioid crisis. The goals of the OOCC are to develop operational strategies, implement the recommendations of the governor’s Heroin and Opioid Emergency Taskforce, and collect, analyze, and facilitate the sharing of data relevant to the epidemic. The Maryland Emergency Management Agency, or MEMA, provides direct oversight of the Opioid Operational Command Center. The command center is run in the same way that they would treat a natural disaster. The command center comes together every couple of weeks and discusses the best ways to address the heroin and opioid epidemic. Coordination between the Maryland State Department of Education and the Opioid Operational Command Center has been critical to getting information in an accurate, timely manner that can be disseminated to schools and families. In 2017, the Start Talking Maryland Act included a number of mandates that the Maryland State Department of Education, or MSDE, was responsible for, including developing a workgroup to identify programs and services that are currently taking place in Mary-
land’s 24 local school systems. To accomplish this, the Maryland Department of Education ran of survey of school districts to see what programs already existed and whether or not they dealt with prevention, intervention or postvention. Along with the survey, the Maryland State Department of Education created an online module to guide educators. The module is meant for those teaching drug addiction and prevention education, but may not have a strong background in health. MSDE and the OOCC also began partnering with law enforcement to promote and support reducing availability of prescriptions in the home through awareness of drug take-back programs and events. Those who have been over-prescribed medication can drop off their excess medication so that other members of their household do not stumble upon the medication, as is so often the case. In Maryland, every police barrack is a prescription drop-off location, and these prescription drugs can be dropped off at any time. MSDE has also provided educators with clear and consistent guidance within the school system on safe storage and disposal of prescription drugs. The Start Talking Maryland Act also modified the Maryland Health Education Curriculum Framework to include the lethal effects of fentanyl. Swift action at all levels and branches of government along with coordination among stakeholders and agencies make Maryland a model state for addressing the opioid epidemic in schools.