Grand Canyon Times

In response to the escalating incidents of Fentanyl-related deaths and overdoses among Arizona's school-aged children, State Superintendent Tom Horne has unveiled an initiative aimed at combating this growing crisis. The initiative includes plans to equip schools with the anti-overdose drug Narcan and the establishment of a statewide task force.

The alarming statistics show that in 2023 alone, Arizona recorded over 1800 opioid-related deaths and more than 4000 overdoses across all age groups. To address this, Horne is creating the School Training Overdose Preparedness and Intelligence Taskforce (STOPIT). The task force will comprise representatives from schools, healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders. Terros Health and the Mayo Clinic are among the first organizations to pledge their support for this initiative.

Horne is also endorsing efforts to distribute free anti-drug awareness materials in all Arizona schools. This endeavor is spearheaded by the Sold Out Youth Foundation, a non-profit organization offering interactive online resources that educate about the dangers of illegal drugs, provide an accredited Fentanyl education curriculum, and promote health and wellness education.

“Sadly, overdoses are a reality for school-aged children throughout Arizona," said Horne. "Fentanyl can kill students within minutes of an overdose. It is vitally important that all schools have Narcan available to help save student lives if it should happen on campus."

Dr. Holly Geyer, Addiction Medicine Specialist at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, echoed these sentiments: “There has never been a greater need to prepare the next generation with the knowledge and tools necessary to combat the opioid epidemic." She added that with over half of U.S. fentanyl being trafficked directly through Arizona, it's time for comprehensive solutions.

Terros Health President and CEO Dr. Karen Hoffman Tepper expressed her organization's commitment to join STOPIT: "Our team has been on the front lines, educating thousands of Arizonians on when and how to use Narcan and we have seen it save lives."

Roman Gabriel III, President of Sold Out, emphasized the importance of education in addressing the crisis: "The SOYF Program is saving lives by equipping school staff, parents and students with a comprehensive program that includes a PLA Accredited Fentanyl Education Platform."

Horne concluded by highlighting the urgency of the situation: “The American Medical Association reports that overdose deaths nationally among adolescents has doubled since 2019. Fentanyl is responsible for more than three-quarters of those deaths and Arizona is not immune from this scourge."