House Bill 3908, referred to as Tucker’s Law, is a new law that immediately went into effect in June and is aimed at addressing fentanyl poisoning’s growing threat. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), opioid-related deaths are one of the leading causes of injury-related death in the U.S. Between 2016 and 2017, deaths from synthetic opioids alone increased significantly, with many of them caused by drugs containing fentanyl, which has been known to be mixed with common street drugs such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, MDMA, as well as commonly used prescription opioids. Just last year, more than 2,000 Texans died from fentanyl-related deaths.
Opioid abuse and misuse greatly affects adolescents and young adults in the U.S. The CDC reported that 15 percent of high school students reported having ever used illicit or injection drugs, and 14 percent of students reported misusing prescription opioids. According to the Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Texas, 342 million lethal doses of fentanyl have been seized since March 2021. However, much of it is already on the streets and mixed into other drugs, meaning there is a high risk of accidental overdose for individuals using illicit drugs.
In America, young people are increasingly buying these drugs online in a desperate attempt to self-medicate for conditions like anxiety and insomnia. Often, they don’t know what they’re buying – and the consequences can be fatal. Fentanyl is killing school children who are buying pills laced with the drug on social media, and overdosing in their classrooms and in their beds. Fatal overdoses for those under the age of 18 more than doubled between 2019-2021.
House Bill 3908 arose by mothers whose children have passed from fentanyl poisoning. It requires education about fentanyl prevention and awareness at Texas public schools about poisoning. The law is named after 19-year-old Tucker Roe, who died from an illicit Percocet pill purchased from a peer on social media. The law will require a course for students in grades 6 through 12 to be implemented annually, providing research-based instruction related to fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness. Such education will be required to include instruction on (1) suicide prevention; (2) prevention of the abuse of and addiction to fentanyl; (3) awareness of local school and community resources and any processes involved in accessing those resources; and (4) health education that includes information about substance use and abuse, including youth substance use and abuse. In addition, a “Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week” will also be implemented in public schools to educate students about the dangers posed by fentanyl and the risks of fentanyl poisoning, including overdose.
By incorporating fentanyl education into the curriculum, students are empowered with life-saving knowledge. Students may learn about the signs of fentanyl overdose, appropriate responses in case of emergencies, as well as the importance of seeking immediate medical attention for those in need. Additionally, many misconceptions that students may have on the topic may be addressed. Schools can provide accurate information about fentanyl’s potency, ways it may be mixed with other drugs, and the risks of possible overdose. These informative lessons can debunk any dangerous beliefs students may have and promote a more accurate understanding of the risks associated with the drug.
Supporters of the new law claim it will empower schools to play a role in ensuring children are safe and healthy, thereby saving many lives. With such programs in place educating on the dangers of fentanyl, it is hopeful that students will be cautious and make the right choice when confronted with the situation. It’s essential that the children in our community are aware of the dangers that come with substance use. Education is a vital piece of any effort to prevent adolescent drug use and reduce unnecessary overdoses in children. With all hope, this bill will result in a reduction of kids falling victim to the devastating effects of this deadly drug.
