All public high schools in the state of Washington will soon be receiving overdose kits, with state health officials citing the surge in fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.
In a press release on Wednesday, the Washington Department of Health (WDOH) announced the deployment of overdose kits as a means to combat a dramatic rise in opioid-related youth overdose deaths. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, WDOH Chief Science Officer, called the kits a “commonsense strategy” in response to underage recreational drug use.
“Some kids experiment with substances, unaware that just one counterfeit pill can contain enough fentanyl to be fatal,” said Kwan-Gett. “Providing access to naloxone will not only save lives, but also send a powerful message that we care about the health of our youth.”
The kits will contain nasal spray devices filled with naloxone, known by the brand name “Narcan.”
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