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While substance use rates among youth continue to drop, fentanyl is now showing up in a wide variety of drugs on the illicit market, including in counterfeit pills made to look like common medications. A small amount of fentanyl in one of these pills can be enough to cause an overdose. Given this, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and staff of the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission (ADPC) have partnered to create required Synthetic Opioid Prevention annual lessons and update the Fentanyl Toolkit for Schools to support educators, administrators, school nurses, students and families in response to the crisis of rising youth and adult opioid overdoses and deaths in Oregon. These resources help ensure Oregon students have accurate information and develop skills to avoid harmful substances, minimize use and reduce harm.
As required by Senate Bill 238 (2023), all Oregon school districts and public charter schools are required to implement the ODE Synthetic Opioid Prevention Lessons starting in the 2024-25 school year in grades 6, 7, 8 and at least once in high school as part of OAR 581-022-2045 Substance Use Prevention and Intervention Plans. These lessons incorporate: (1) Youth input that named a strengths-based approach with space for dialogue, relevant information and Oregon specific data. (2) Research-based practices that emphasize the importance of promoting true positive norms rather than shame- or fear-based tactics, skills-based learning over awareness-raising, and connecting to broad prevention efforts within the school and community. And (3) Alignment with the 2023 Oregon Health Education Standards. Beyond these required lessons, House Bill 5204 (2024) provided funding to ODE for curriculum supplements on the dangers of synthetic opioids.
