High school senior Jorge Vargas and his classmates at Washington Technology Magnet School in St. Paul, Minnesota, recently underwent training on how to administer naloxone, an opioid overdose-reversing medication. The initiative comes as a response to the increasing number of teen deaths related to opioid abuse in the state.

Vargas, who proposed the training course to his teacher after learning about a similar program at Minneapolis’ Roosevelt High School, emphasized the growing prevalence of the opioid epidemic among individuals of his age group. He expressed the need for proactive measures to address the issue.

Following legislative action last year, all school districts and charter schools in Minnesota are now mandated to maintain a supply of naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan. The law requires each school building to have at least two doses of the medication on hand.

Notably, this training is a significant step toward equipping school staff and students with the necessary knowledge and tools to combat opioid overdoses within the educational environment. It reflects a proactive approach to addressing the opioid crisis, which has increasingly affected young individuals in the state.

As the opioid epidemic continues to pose a threat to communities, the implementation of naloxone training in schools serves as a crucial measure in mitigating the impact of opioid abuse among teenagers. By empowering students and educators with the skills to respond effectively to opioid overdoses, the initiative aims to contribute to the overall efforts in combating the crisis.