Relates to instruction on drug prevention, particularly opioids

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to instruction on drug prevention, particularly opioids

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill would require the commissioner of education to make recommendations to the board of regents relating to the adoption of drug prevention instruction, with a focus on opioid prevention, in elementary schools, and would allow the board of regents to adopt such recommendations.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 amends Section 305 of the education law by adding subdivisions 55 and 56, to require the commissioner of education to make recommendations, after consulting with interested parties, relating to drug prevention instruction in elementary schools, and to allow the board of regents to adopt or reject such curriculum.

Section 2 contains the effective date.

Justification

The opioid crisis is hitting New York hard, with rates of addiction skyrocketing. Currently, health curriculums must offer drug prevention courses, with most occurring in High School. However, the state is seeing more adolescents addicted to opioids and heroin, with some reports of students as young as 13 becoming addicted. (http://www.lohud. com/stor yinews/ loca1/2015/12/ 30/school-counselors-say opiate-use-common- among-teens/7800 72600 Further, a White House reported noted that New York State ranked in the top ten of all states for illicit drug dependence among persons aged 12 and older, with heroin responsible for at least one third of all primary drug treatment admission in the state.

(https://www.whitehouse. gov/sites/default ifiles/docs/ state_profile_- _new _yorkO.pdf) With drug abuse becoming more prevalent at younger ages, starting drug prevention education at a young age will help deter opioid abuse in adolescents, preventing more drug addicted persons.

This bill would attempt to mitigate the opioid epidemic by allowing the Board of Regents to adopt a drug and opioid prevention curriculum in elementary schools. Any curriculum adopted shall be recommended by the Commissioner of Education, after consultation with teachers, school administrators, teacher educators, school psychologists, social workers, parents, and students. The commissioner must also seek comments from OASAS and providers of substance abuse services for adolescents. Any recommendation must also consider the fiscal impact of such a curriculum. By providing for a wide source of community input, the curriculum recommended will be based on real world feedback by the people who best understand the problem of opioid abuse in adolescents. Additionally, this feedback will ensure that the program recommended will impact students, leaving them with knowledge about the dangers of drug use, and particularly involving opioids and heroin.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

To be determined. LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION :

This act shall take effect immediately.