White Houses Urges all Schools to Carry Naloxone
In a letter released on October 30th, the Biden administration urged all schools to keep naloxone on hand and provide training for students and staff. The letter, authored by the Department of Education and White House Office on National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), was sent to every state education agency, intergovernmental groups, and local governments and education associations. Schools across the country have already begun to implement naloxone procedures and training. The Los Angeles Unified School District began utilizing naloxone in 2022, administering the opioid overdose reversal tool thirty-one times. This year, the number of schools choosing to stock naloxone has doubled. In September, Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR) and Kevin Kiley (CA) introduced the Fentanyl Awareness for Children and Teens in Schools (FACTS) Act which would allow school health centers to use federal funding to purchase naloxone. Both the letter and legislation reflect a government-wide effort to bring overdose reversal measures into schools. Dr. Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Education, and Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of ONDCP, closed their letter by stating, “There is no time to waste when responding to an overdose, and it is critical that youth and school personnel can access naloxone on school grounds during and after school.”
Articles & Resources
Axios—Exclusive: White House urges schools to carry overdose reversal drug
DEA Adds Precursor Chemicals Used to Make Fentanyl to Special Surveillance List
In their first update since 1999, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) listed twenty-eight fentanyl precursor chemicals, tableting machines, and dies used to make fake pills to their Special Surveillance List (SSL). The SSL was created in 1999 via the Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 1996, which made it illegal to distribute “laboratory supplies”, such as chemicals, chemical substances, materials, and equipment, to manufacture controlled substances for illegal means. The SSL intends to educate businesses and individuals on the risks of selling supplies for illicit purposes and applies civil punishments on those who sell. According to the DEA, individuals or business entities that sell a “product from the SSL with ‘reckless disregard’ of its illegal uses can face a fine of up to $250,000.”
Articles & Resources
DEA—DEA Adds Precursor Chemicals Used to Make Illicit Fentanyl to the Special Surveillance List
DEA (Diversion Control Division)—Special Surveillance List of Chemicals, Products, Materials and Equipment Used in the Clandestine Production of Controlled Substances or Listed Chemicals.
What We Read Last Week
Several articles were published last week pertaining to the opioid epidemic, covering a variety of different components of the topic. Links to relevant articles are provided below.
AP—Addiction can lead to financial ruin. Ohio wants to teach finance pros to help stem the loss
CBP—DHS Doubles Down CBP Efforts to Continue to Combat Fentanyl and Synthetic Drugs
Government of Bloomington Minnesota—Bloomington Police Department launches innovative mental health rapid response pilot program
Office of Governor Gavin Newsom—Governor Newsom and San Francisco Leaders Announce New Effort to Investigate Opioid-Linked Deaths
NPR—States are getting $50 billion in opioid cash. And it’s an issue in governor’s races
Pharmacy Times—The Evolving Role of the Pharmacist in Opioid Use Disorder
Politico—Fall could bring SUPPORT for opioid care
Roll Call—Methadone access becomes a flashpoint in fight over opioid crisis
Washington Post—Bowser opens sobering center amid calls for public health emergency
This Week’s Calendar
In the week ahead, there are no relevant events or hearings noticed at this time. In the event that there are any changes to the schedule for this week, we will make additional information available.
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