New Jersey Department of Health and Education Make Overdose-Antidote Naloxone Accessible to all School Districts

This announcement coincides with First Lady Tammy Murphy’s visit to Bayside High School in Virginia to participate in a bipartisan discussion on fentanyl awareness with First Lady of Virginia Suzanne Youngkin. During the visit, the First Ladies participated in an opioid overdose and naloxone education course and attended roundtable discussions with students, staff, and parents.

“Every community in our state has felt the impact of the opioid epidemic. That is why we have prioritized a whole-of-government approach to put lifesaving tools and resources in reach for all New Jerseyans. From harm reduction to education initiatives, we are taking action to put an end to this public health crisis so that we can create a healthier New Jersey for generations to come,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. 

“We know that preparation is key and that readily available naloxone can mean the difference between life and death. If providing our schools with this safe, fast-acting overdose reversal medication saves just one life, it will have been worth it. I thank Commissioner Adelman and Acting Commissioner Dehmer for their leadership on this important issue.”

“Addiction doesn’t discriminate, and the heartbreaking reality is overdoses can happen in any setting. By supplying naloxone to schools, we are giving a second chance to those suffering from addiction who visit, work, or learn in a New Jersey school, said Commissioner Adelman. “We thank the Department of Education for their partnership in this important initiative. By working together, we will continue to save the lives of those impacted by the opioid crisis. We urge all school districts to contact their County Office of Education to obtain life-saving naloxone at no cost.”