Tuesday night the House voted unanimously (96-0) to push forward SB 5804, which increases NARCAN availability in all school districts in the state, regardless of size, including charter schools, state tribal compact schools, elementary, middle and high schools.
“This bill expands access to over-the-counter opioid overdose treatment (NARCAN) in schools. The goal is to have these life-saving tools available for cases of both intentional and accidental exposure to opioids. We all wish we weren’t here as a nation, but we are. This bill is about saving lives,” said prime sponsor Sen. Patty Kuderer (D-Bellevue).
Unanimously passing both chambers, SB 5804 was brought to the Senate by a group of students from Lake Washington High School and ushered through the Legislature by Kuderer. It updates current law to effectively put doses in every school in the state.
“As students, we strongly believe in this legislation and are confident that through its enactment, we will save countless lives, ensuring that Washington schools are safe for all students. We are honored and grateful to have worked with Sen. Kuderer to pass this legislation, which we believe will mark a critical turning point in protecting students from the opioid epidemic. While we are excited to see this monumental first step taken, we acknowledge the prevalence of the opioid epidemic and hope to see further legislative action in sessions to come” said Lake Washington High School students Joanna Lymberis, Olivia Milstein, Sophia Lymberis, Theodore Meek, Reilly Jones, Petar Damjanovic, Kassie Montgomery, and Christina Minor.
SB 5804 now moves to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk, where it is expected to be signed into law.
