The urgent need for Narcan in schools to prevent teen overdoses

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is piloting a rehabilitation-focused approach to student overdoses instead of the traditional zero tolerance policy. This shift comes in response to a rise in student opioid overdoses, with fentanyl being involved in the majority of teen overdose deaths. LAUSD is prioritizing medical attention and creating re-entry plans for students following an overdose, offering therapy sessions and outpatient rehabilitation at little to no cost. Other school systems across the country are also changing their approach to discipline, but funding and bureaucratic challenges remain.