The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and the Georgia Department of Education have announced a new statewide initiative to place opioid overdose reversal kits in every public school. The program is funded through opioid settlement dollars and carried out in partnership with the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust.
The Georgia Overdose Response Partnership supports the intent of Senate Bill 395, known as “Wesley’s Law,” which allows schools to obtain and administer opioid antagonists and provides legal protections for staff who act in good faith during an emergency.
More than 2,300 schools will receive kits containing naloxone, along with protective equipment and refill information. Distribution began in fall 2025 through the state’s Regional Education Service Agencies and is expected to reach full statewide coverage by spring 2026.
Under the plan, DBHDD and the Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust will handle shipping of the kits and equipment, while DBHDD will work with the Georgia Harm Reduction Coalition to supply Narcan. Training resources will be provided by the Department of Education and DBHDD’s Community Service Boards to ensure school staff are prepared to respond in the event of an overdose.
