Essay
All legislators should vote yes for Bill HF1641 and SF1687, which would allow high school students to possess opiate antagonists such as naloxone. This bill is important because the number of student overdoses has continued to rise in recent years, especially due to fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills. Even though overall adolescent drug use has decreased, overdose deaths have increased dramatically. In 2022 alone, an average of 22 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18 died each week from drug overdoses in the United States. In Minnesota, the number of fatal drug overdoses among teens ages 15–19 was 46 in 2021, a significant increase from fewer than 10 deaths in 2018. Because overdoses can happen quickly and unexpectedly, schools need stronger safety measures. Allowing students to carry opioid-reversal pens would help prevent fatal overdoses and save lives.
One major reason this bill is necessary is the rapid rise in overdose deaths among teenagers. Fentanyl contamination has made drugs far more dangerous, and many students accidentally take pills that are stronger than they realize. As a result, even students who do not regularly use drugs can experience life-threatening overdoses. The statistic showing that 22 teens die weekly highlights the urgency of the problem. Schools already prepare for emergencies like asthma attacks and allergic reactions, so preparing for overdoses should be no different. If more trained students have access to naloxone, the number of deaths could be lowered.
Another reason students should be allowed to carry overdose-reversal pens is that they can often respond faster than teachers or staff. For example, if a group of students is in the bathroom and someone begins to overdose, the nearest adult may not be close enough to help in time. Right now, a student would have to run out, find a teacher, and bring them back precious minutes that could be the difference between life and death. But if even one student in that bathroom had a naloxone pen in their backpack, they could help immediately before the situation became worse. Faster response time increases the chances of saving a person’s life.
Overdoses also often occur in places where adults are not constantly present, which makes student access even more important. Teenagers frequently gather in restrooms, locker rooms, stairwells, or outdoor areas during school hours. These locations are not always supervised, meaning adults may not know an emergency is happening until it is too late. Allowing students to carry naloxone creates a safety net that covers the entire school, not just the areas where staff are present. Just like students who carry inhalers or EpiPens for medical emergencies, students carrying naloxone would help expand the school’s ability to keep everyone safe.
Some people argue that allowing students to carry naloxone might encourage drug use, but this is not supported by evidence. Access to overdose-reversal medication does not cause more students to use drugs it only increases the chance that a student survives an overdose. The goal is not to condone drug use, but to prevent deaths and give schools the tools they need to handle emergencies responsibly.
Another strong argument for allowing students to carry naloxone pens is that real-world school districts are already doing it successfully. For instance, Edina High School in Minnesota recently adopted a policy that allows students in grades 9–12 to carry and administer Narcan (naloxone) to their peers. Parents in Edina responded positively, praising the district’s commitment to saving lives. This example shows that such a policy is not only possible, but effective and community-supported.
In conclusion, allowing students to carry naloxone pens is a simple action that could save countless high school lives. Overdoses among teens are rising, and they often occur in bathrooms, hallways, or other areas where no staff members are present to respond in time. Giving students access to these life-saving tools ensures that help is available the moment it’s needed. Edina High School has already shown that this policy works in real settings and is supported by the community. For these reasons, legislators should vote yes on this bill and take an important step toward protecting students and preventing avoidable tragedies.