The 2024 General Assembly passed House Bill 134, which requires the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), in consultation with such stakeholders and experts as it deems necessary or appropriate, to develop (i) age-appropriate and evidence-based education materials concerning the risks to health and safety that are posed by opioids, with a particular focus on prevention, identification of the signs of overdose, resources for supports, risks, and effects of addiction, and the risk of death that is posed by fentanyl and (ii) guidelines for school boards for incorporating the education materials developed into instructional programs for students enrolled in the local school division. The educational materials and guidelines in accordance with the act are required to be submitted to the Chairs of the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by November 1, 2024.

In fulfillment of this requirement, the VDOE provides the Guidelines for Incorporating Opioid Related Instruction into Classrooms. The document includes resources, guidelines, and instructional guides to assist educators in providing instruction on the risks to health and safety that are posed by opioids with a focus on prevention, the identification of signs of overdose, the risks and effects of addiction, the risks of death posed by fentanyl, and information on overdose reversal.

The creation of the Guidelines for Incorporating Opioid Related Instruction into Classrooms involved consultation with numerous stakeholders including division health education specialists, school-based mental health professionals, school nurses, and state agency partners from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). Feedback on the Guidelines was provided by parents, teachers, and school and division leaders through a focus group and written comment platform. The feedback helped inform the final guidelines.

Additionally, through Governor Youngkin’s Executive Order 28, school divisions across the Commonwealth have ensured families know when a school-connected overdose has occurred. As a part of the Executive Order 28, the VDOE released the Parental Notification, Law Enforcement Collaboration, and Student Education to Prevent Student Overdoses resource document. The document outlines parental notifications, criteria for an overdose, and collaboration with the school community and local law enforcement. Families are now able to monitor, make strong decisions to support their children, and partner with schools in reducing student overdoses. Families and schools have updated the VDOE that this critical step has been helped to create transparency, and more importantly, awareness of the challenges our students are facing.