Hawaii Senate Bill SCR113

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24

Caption

Urging The Department Of Education To Supply All Classrooms With Narcan Or Another Type Of Naloxone By September 1, 2024.

Impact

The resolution aiming to place naloxone in every classroom represents a proactive approach by the state to equip educators and staff with the necessary tools to respond effectively to potential drug-related emergencies. The availability of naloxone in schools reflects a growing recognition of the need for preventive measures in the face of the opioid crisis. This approach is supported by previous legislation requiring certain businesses to maintain naloxone on their premises, thereby emphasizing the medication's importance in safeguarding public health.

Summary

SCR113 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution urging the Department of Education in Hawaii to supply all public school classrooms with Narcan, an opioid antagonist, or another type of naloxone by September 1, 2024. This initiative comes in response to the rising number of overdose deaths associated with opioids, which exceeded eighty thousand in 2020, as reported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The administration of naloxone can prevent fatalities in cases of opioid overdoses, making it a critical resource in emergency situations, particularly within school environments where children and adolescents spend significant time.

Contention

While the resolution has broad support from public health advocates who see naloxone as a life-saving measure, there may be discussions regarding the implementation, including concerns about training staff to administer the drug and the potential stigma associated with having opioid antagonists in school settings. Critics could argue that, while it addresses overdose prevention, it may overlook the need for comprehensive drug education and prevention strategies to address underlying substance use issues among students.