Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, R-21, Schuylerville, joined her colleagues in introducing H.R. 7189 — the School Resource Officers Save Lives Act — to allow grants to school districts to train and equip School Resource Officers, security personnel, and school nurses to combat the fentanyl crisis’ impact in schools.

According to the CDC, the largest percentage increase in drug overdose death rates from 2019 to 2020 occurred in the 15-24 age group, a release from Stefanik’s office notes.

The legislation would reauthorize the State Opioid Response (SOR) Grants Program at $5,000,000 for fiscal years 2022 and 2023, create a pilot program for Narcan administration within the SOR program to allow grants to school districts to train School Resource Officers, security personnel, and school nurses to administer Narcan and to purchase individual Narcan kits and require at least 50% of grants to be awarded to school districts located in rural areas.

“As the fentanyl crisis has increased drug overdoses even in children, our School Resource Officers should have every tool available to them to protect our students from these tragic consequences,” said Stefanik. “I’m proud to work to make equipment and training available for our law enforcement officers who protect our students to create a safer environment for schools.”