Activist fights for urgent fentanyl education in schools

In a recent government meeting, a passionate advocate highlighted the urgent need for educational institutions to address the growing crisis of fentanyl poisoning among students. The speaker recounted their personal efforts to raise awareness and implement preventive measures, including securing funding for outdoor media campaigns and advocating for naloxone availability in schools.

Despite initial resistance, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has begun to take steps toward addressing this issue. In September 2022, following the tragic death of a student from fentanyl poisoning, LAUSD announced that naloxone would be made available on all campuses. This decision came after months of advocacy and discussions with school officials, illustrating the bureaucratic challenges faced in implementing timely health measures.

The speaker expressed frustration over the slow response from educational institutions, noting that while LAUSD was able to expedite naloxone distribution after a crisis, similar efforts at UCLA to include naloxone in dormitories and discuss fentanyl at freshman orientations have yet to yield results. The speaker emphasized that the lengthy processes involved in public institutions can be detrimental, especially when lives are at stake.

This meeting underscored the critical need for proactive measures in schools to combat the fentanyl crisis, as advocates continue to push for immediate action and greater awareness among students and staff.