New York Schools Gain New Tool In Fight Against Heroin Overdoses

The heroin epidemic has reached new heights in New York State and beyond. With the approval of the new state budget, schools will have a new tool to fight overdoses of this terrible drug.

Lohud is reporting the state's 3000 school districts will now be equipped with naloxone, a drug used to reverse the effects of opioid intoxication.

In order to receive the kits, nurses from the schools will need to receive training before the drug is rolled out. The decision is part of the state's new $142 billion budget. Nearly $300,000 has been put aside for training and could end up saving lives.

Lohud quotes Howard Zucker, Acting Health Commissioner:

"Properly addressing this issue requires that we train as many people as possible in how to identify and reverse overdoses. This funding helps ensure that school nurses and officials have the skills and resources needed to do just that."