States Consider Requiring Mandatory Opioid Abuse Education in Public Schools

Some states are considering requiring mandatory opioid abuse education in public schools, according to The Washington Post.

Ohio is requiring opioid education in kindergarten through twelfth grade. The Michigan legislature is considering a similar program. The Michigan bill states, “The model program of instruction adopted or developed by the department shall include at least instruction on the prescription drug epidemic and the connection between prescription opioid drug abuse and addiction to other drugs.”

Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and South Carolina are also considering requiring mandatory opioid education.

An estimated 1.3 million 12- to 17-year-olds have a substance use disorder, the article notes.