NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new Tennessee law went into effect on March 27 that lets educators bring opioid antagonists like Narcan to school.
The bill, HB 2311, was introduced by Rep. Charlie Baum (R - Murfreesboro) and passed unanimously in the House and in the Senate without any amendments. The bill restricts schools from prohibiting students, employees or visitors from having an opioid antagonist while on school property or while attending a school-sponsored activity.
It also said principals and heads of schools that keep opioid antagonists at school must also make sure it is stored according to manufacturer instructions.
"In July of last year, 2023, the FDA made Naloxone an over-the-counter substance. In response to that, this bill would permit students and teachers and employees to carry Naloxone on school properties," Baum said in the House of Representatives on March 4.
Opioid antagonists effectively reverse the effects of opioids, meant to prevent fatal overdoses by counteracting their effects on the body. During an overdose, users may not be physically able to breathe as the opioids interfere with the body's normal ventilatory response.
A common type of opioid antagonist is Narcan, often administered as a nasal spray. A growing number of law enforcement agencies across Tennessee are equipping officers with Narcan, meant to give them more tools to quickly help people who may not be able to breathe when they arrive.
