A new statewide initiative will soon place opioid overdose reversal kits in every Georgia public school, as state education and behavioral health leaders move to strengthen emergency preparedness amid the opioid crisis.

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) and the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE), in partnership with the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust (GOCAT), announced the launch of a program designed to ensure school staff have immediate access to lifesaving tools if an overdose emergency happens on campus.

Beginning this fall, more than 2,300 public schools across Georgia are set to receive overdose reversal kits. Each kit will include naloxone—commonly known by the brand name Narcan—a medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and restore breathing. The kits will also contain personal protective equipment (PPE) and information for schools on how to request refills of the medication when needed.

State leaders say the program is funded through opioid settlement dollars administered by GOCAT, describing the effort as a practical use of those resources with a clear goal: preventing deaths. DBHDD Commissioner Kevin Tanner said the initiative is aimed at saving lives before a family or a school community experiences the tragedy of losing a child. GaDOE State School Superintendent Richard Woods said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to protecting students and ensuring schools are prepared to respond to emergencies.

The effort, called the Georgia Overdose Response Partnership, is intended to help school staff recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and respond quickly until emergency medical help arrives. Supporters say having naloxone readily available can be critical, because overdoses can progress rapidly and every minute matters.

State officials also note the program aligns with Senate Bill 395, known as “Wesley’s Law,” which empowers schools to obtain and administer opioid antagonists and provides immunity protections to staff members who act in good faith during an emergency.

The distribution will happen in phases. The first rollout began in fall 2025, serving nine Regional Education Service Agencies (RESAs) and reaching more than half of Georgia’s public schools, including areas in metro Atlanta, southwest Georgia, and central Georgia. The final phase is planned for spring 2026 and is expected to complete statewide coverage across all 16 RESAs.

To support the rollout, RESAs will host “stuff-the-box” style events, encouraging school and community leaders to participate in assembling the kits. Through the partnership, DBHDD and GOCAT will handle shipping kits and PPE using settlement funds, while training resources and best practices will be shared to help staff feel prepared to respond effectively.

Officials say the initiative is about readiness, prevention, and giving schools an added layer of protection—ensuring that if an overdose emergency occurs, staff have the tools on hand to act quickly.