New Jersey lawmakers are planning to introduce legislation requiring high schools to carry naloxone, an antidote for heroin overdose.

The proposal introduced by an Atlantic County Democrat, Vincent Mazzeo, would require high school nurses to administer the opioid antidote in case of an overdose.

Philly.com says, the proposal isn't coming about as a response to students overdosing. But, according to Mazzeo, the state needs to be more 'proactive' when it comes to these situations.

Naloxone has proven itself to be a good tool to have, especially since EMTs and police officers always carry it with them.

This proposal would be administered in both public and private schools, requiring nurses to be properly trained and equipped when dealing with the antidote.

 

 

As of now, Mazzeo doesn't know of any schools carrying Narcan, the popular drug combating heroin overdoses. If this bill is passed, high schools would be required to maintain a supply of these antidotes, which can range from $35 to $85.

Mazzeo says:

"It's not a huge cost, and when you're talking about saving lives, it's a minimal cost,"

Schools boards along with the New Jersey State School Nurses Association are in support of the proposal. So, chances are we may be seeing this bill go in effect soon.

 

Read the full article and statistics on Philly.com.

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