SB 5804, otherwise known as the NARCAN bill, was passed on Feb. 27, 2024 and instituted over-the-counter opioid overdose treatment kits in K-12 schools across Washington. This represents a crucial step in addressing the ongoing opioid crisis plaguing communities across the nation. Introduced with the goal of expanding access to naloxone, an opioid antagonist, this legislation reinforces the pressing need for combatting opioid-related fatalities. According to Washington State Standard, “Rates of opioid-related fatalities among adolescents ages 14 to 18 surged almost threefold from 2016 to 2022.” By facilitating broader distribution, the NARCAN bill aims to train community members on the proper way to respond to overdose emergencies and to spread awareness on the ever-present issue.
The bill was originally introduced by a group of Lake Washington High School students, and then advocated by Sen. Patty Kuderer of District 48. Prior to the passage of NARCAN, overdose kits were only distributed to schools with over 2,000 students, though over half of Washington’s schools had fewer than that number. KREM, a news outlet local to Spokane, says, “NARCAN was only used in 42 schools in the state of Washington during the 2022-2023 school year.” The NARCAN bill increases the availability of treatment to all Washington schools, no matter the size. It upholds the priorities of our lawmakers and proves that they recognized an equity gap between who was able to be saved from drugs and who was not. Junior Issac Rosenthal voices a similar opinion, “[Our lawmakers] want immediate change. They could propose a bill that outright bans opioids, but they understand that that wouldn’t go over well, so they find a solution.”
The Department of Healthcare Services says that along with the Naloxone antibiotic used for overdose reversals, NARCAN kits will contain “a measuring scoop, a fentanyl test strip, a water pouch, and test instructions.” These kits test drugs for the presence of fentanyl, an extremely powerful and often fatal opioid that is frequently added to drugs due to its cheap price and addictive nature. By incorporating visible markings on the provided water pouch, the risk of errors in testing drugs for fentanyl is reduced as over and under dilution is prevented. Senior Sarah Silbermann expresses that “[NARCAN] saves lives. Even if it only saves one, I will consider it a success.”
However, some believe that NARCAN kits will negatively impact students. Freshman Lauren Lew poses the opinion that “the addiction rate will be higher with the presence of these kits. I do believe that they will save lives and help the reversal of overdoses, but people won’t stop doing drugs.” Many worry NARCAN’s residence in schools provides students with a false sense of safety, and prompts them into dangerous behaviors in and around school hours. Lew continues, saying, “If people know that they will survive an overdose, they may push their limits. Doing drugs is already normalized to an extent, and this makes it easier for people to feel safe while doing it.” Other IHS students, like sophomore Owen Kang, place greater emphasis on the awareness that comes with NARCAN kits. Kang says that “[NARCAN kits] will help bring the discussion out there… These kits will show that overdoses can happen anywhere and to anyone. [SB 5804] will bring the issue of drug abuse more into the light.” Kang holds similar opinions as Lew and believes that the NARCAN bill would have reverse effects, and encourage drug use from students. As a strong advocate for mental health, Kang draws a similarity between the trajectory of mental health discussion and overdoses, saying, “[Overdose awareness] will be similar to mental health. Back then, if you struggled with mental illnesses, you were considered crazy. Just as the stigma surrounding mental health decreased as awareness spread, overdoses will become easier to talk about.”
While concerns have been raised about the potential unintended consequences of NARCAN’s presence in schools, such as a perceived increase in drug use, it is clear that the overarching goal of saving lives and fostering greater awareness of the dangers of drug abuse remains paramount. As the implementation of NARCAN kits unfolds, it is imperative that ongoing efforts focus not only on providing lifesaving interventions but also on encouraging open dialogue and support for those affected by addiction. Through collective action and education, we can strive towards a future where every member of our community has the opportunity to lead a healthy and drug-free life.
