New York Assemblyman introduces fentanyl education bill for schools

New York Assemblyman Robert Smullen has introduced the ‘Fentanyl Fathers and Mothers Act,’ a bill that would mandate fentanyl education in all public, charter, and private schools across the state.

The proposed legislation aims to inform students about the extreme lethality of fentanyl, noting that even a tiny amount can be fatal. The bill addresses the rising trend of the drug being pressed into counterfeit pills or mixed with other substances like amphetamines and animal tranquilizers.

Key components of the program include bringing bereaved parents into classrooms to share personal experiences and encouraging the formation of ‘S.A.F.E. Clubs’ (Students Advocating Fentanyl Education). Additionally, schools would be required to monitor student engagement through surveys and track the distribution of naloxone on campus. State funding would be allocated for instructional materials, training, and program evaluation.