Gov. Sanders signs bill to require Narcan rescue kits in high schools and colleges

1 year ago 10

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Over the years, the opioid overdose rate for teenagers has significantly increased.

The CDC says opioid overdose deaths in teens aged 14-18 increased by 94% between 2019-2020.

Thursday, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed House Bill 1514, making it law for Naloxone or Narcan kits to be visible and labeled in public high schools and state-supported institutions of higher education.

"I'm very excited that a law has been enacted to make it mandatory," Kimberly Ashley-Pauley said.

Ashley-Pauley's son, Joshua passed away on May 12^{th, 2014,} after experimenting with opioids. Kimberly says her son had "4 different types of opioids" in his system.

Joshua's death led to the Joshua Ashley-Pauley Act, which is now law and provides immunity for Arkansans seeking medical assistance for an overdose.

Those with Joshua, when he overdosed, didn't call for medical help because of fear of running into trouble with the law.

Now, individuals who attempt to assist a person they believe to be overdosing are protected from arrest, charge, or prosecution for possessing an illicit subs...