Northwest Georgia schools receive Narcan kits in statewide opioid effort

Schools in Northwest Georgia received opioid overdose reversal kits on Tuesday through a statewide initiative by Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD).

The department partnered with the Northwest Georgia Regional Education Service Agency to distribute kits to 180 schools.

“Moments like this show what’s possible when urgency meets strong partnership,” said DBHDD Commissioner Kevin Tanner, in a news release.

The initiative is part of the department’s work with the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust with the goal of equipping every public school in Georgia with Narcan, a life-saving medicine to reverse opioid overdoses.

“Equipping our schools with Narcan is a critical, life-saving step in protecting our students and school communities,” said state Rep. Katie Dempsey, R-Rome, in the release.

State leaders, agency officials and volunteers assembled the 180 kits at a “Stuff the Box” event Tuesday before distribution.

The statewide initiative has provided kits to more than 1,300 schools, and the department plans to equip 2,300 schools total by the end of the school year.

“As someone who works in the hospital with Narcan, I am excited to have this available in all our schools,” said state Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome, in the release. “No doubt lives will be saved when seconds matter, and it is available on the premises. Thanks to Commissioner Tanner and his staff for making this happen.”