Students in grades 6 through 12 in the state of Alabama, will be receiving mandatory instruction on the many dangers of Fentanyl – starting in this school year.
The Alabama Legislature passed HB 280 in April. That said as follows: “Commencing with the 2024/2025 school year each local education agency will annually provide research-based instruction, related to Fentanyl prevention and also drug poisoning awareness to the students in grades 6 through 12 – in a manner comparable to instruction provided for other drug and alcohol education/prevention programs.”
The required instruction must cover:
- Preventing Fentanyl addiction and abuse
- Awareness of the many local, school and community resources and the processes for accessing these resources
- Health education on substance use and abuse, and youth substance use
Governor Kay Ivey signed the bill into law back in May.
Reportedly – in the United States, an increasing number of children have died from drug exposure and overdose in recent years. And Fentanyl was involved in the vast majority of teen overdose deaths – 84% – in 2021.
Other new Alabama laws will require updated School Safety plans – such as cardiac arrest training and discipline rules.
(www.AL.COM)
