Requires the state to provide a certain type of opioid and fentanyl rescue kit to schools.
Impact
The proposed legislation aims to mitigate the increasing incidents of opioid overdoses among students by ensuring that educational institutions have access to life-saving resources. This initiative responds to the broader public health crisis surrounding opioids by positioning schools as proactive players in overdose prevention. The inclusion of advanced features for the rescue kits, such as internet connectivity and alerts for first responders, underscores a commitment to creating a prepared environment for handling overdose situations and potentially saving lives.
Summary
Bill A08830 proposes that the state of New York supply opioid and fentanyl overdose rescue kits to every public and private elementary and secondary school, as well as to trade, vocational schools, colleges, and universities. Each school would receive a kit at no cost, which is designed to contain two doses of naloxone nasal sprays and equipment for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The bill seeks to enhance the immediate response capability to opioid overdoses within educational institutions, as rising concerns over drug-related incidents continue to affect student populations across the state.
Contention
However, the bill may face challenges related to implementation and cost management, especially considering the training aspect. While the bill mandates the provision of the kits, it allows for optional training for teachers and staff, which could lead to concerns about preparedness levels within schools without mandatory education on how to use the kits effectively. This points to an underlying debate on how best to implement health initiatives in schools while balancing budgetary constraints and the varying needs of different educational institutions.
Requires practitioners to provide counselling to patients about the potential addictive properties of opioids prior to prescribing such medications; requires pharmacists to provide counselling to patients about the potential addictive properties of opioids at the time a prescription for opioids is filled.
Provides free fentanyl test strips to individuals at specified distribution facilities; requires a public awareness campaign on the dangers of fentanyl and the provision of the test strips.
Provides free fentanyl test strips to individuals at specified distribution facilities; requires a public awareness campaign on the dangers of fentanyl and the provision of the test strips.
Provides that when informational cards or sheets about opioid antagonists are distributed, such information shall include information about fentanyl strips and their uses.
Provides that when informational cards or sheets about opioid antagonists are distributed, such information shall include information about fentanyl strips and their uses.
Requires property/casualty insurance policies to state the types and causes of damage that are covered by such policy; requires such information to be provided at or near the beginning of such policy.
Requires property/casualty insurance policies to state the types and causes of damage that are covered by such policy; requires such information to be provided at or near the beginning of such policy.
Includes exposing another person to fentanyl, a fentanyl derivative or an opiate containing fentanyl or a fentanyl derivative in the definition of the offense of assault in the first degree.