Some Michigan lawmakers want to give school districts access to a drug that can save the life of someone who's overdosed on heroin or prescription painkillers.
Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is already available with a prescription in Michigan. Under a new pair of bills in Lansing, schools would have the option to stock and administer it.
The legislation would require districts to work with the Michigan Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services to set up rules for the drug's use, and train school employees on how and when to administer it.
School employees would also have immunity from criminal and civil liability, as long as they’re permitted to administer the drug and do so in accordance with the rules.
Each year, districts would be required to report to the MDE how many students were given Naloxone.
Rep. Charles Brunner, D-Bay City, is sponsoring one of the bills. In a statement, he said increasing access to Naloxone is "the right thing to do."
"One unfortunate constant in our state seems to be prescription drug and opiod abuse. I am glad that we are finally facing this problem head-on." Brunner said.
Illinois, New York, Rhode Island, Delaware, Kentucky and Massachusetts have already enacted similar laws.
