Georgia is taking significant steps to combat the opioid crisis by equipping all public schools in the state with naloxone, an overdose reversal medication. Using funds from a legal settlement with the pharmaceutical industry, this initiative will see naloxone kits installed in approximately 2,300 public schools. Distribution efforts began in the fall of 2025, targeting areas in metro Atlanta as well as southwest and central Georgia, with the program anticipated to be fully implemented by spring 2026.
The move follows a troubling rise in opioid-related overdoses, prompting state officials to act decisively. Kevin Tanner, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “The opioid settlement funds give us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to turn tragedy into prevention. Putting overdose reversal kits in every Georgia school is a practical, compassionate use of those dollars. It means we are giving our educators and communities a fighting chance to stop a preventable death.”
Collaboration with Education Officials
In partnership with the Georgia Department of Education, Tanner’s agency will provide training resources to school staff to ensure they are adequately prepared to respond in emergencies involving opioid overdoses. Richard Woods, the State School Superintendent, expressed confidence in the collaborative effort, which aims to equip every school with the necessary tools to manage potential overdose situations effectively.
This initiative is backed by the passage of Senate Bill 395, known as “Wesley’s Law,” which was co-sponsored by Sen. Clint Dixon, a Republican from Buford. The law, named in memory of a family member who succumbed to a fentanyl overdose, mandates that schools stock naloxone, a product marketed under the brand names Narcan and Evzio. It also permits teachers and other school personnel to carry and administer the medication on school grounds.
The implementation of naloxone kits in schools represents a proactive approach to safeguarding students and staff from the dangers posed by opioid overdoses. With the ongoing opioid epidemic affecting communities nationwide, Georgia’s initiative serves as a critical step toward fostering safer environments in educational settings.
As the spring deadline approaches, state officials and educators remain focused on ensuring that all public schools are equipped not only with the medication but also with the knowledge and training necessary to respond effectively in emergencies. This initiative highlights the state’s commitment to addressing the opioid crisis through comprehensive preventive measures and community support.
