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Robyn Gallant is a masters of social work student at the University of Maine a clinical manager for a home healthcare and hospice agency.
As a lifelong Mainer, Penobscot County community member, parent, professional, advocate, and having been personally affected, I draw your attention to the need in our community to support youth in better understanding toxic drug use and consequences. A current bill, LD 2089, would require schools to provide no fewer than 10 hours of instruction regarding the illegal use of fentanyl and other drugs as well as the risks of overdosing. Introduced on Jan. 3, and with a public hearing held on Jan. 24, this bipartisan piece of legislation is currently supported by three state representatives and six state senators.
The drug epidemic continues to ravage our state and recent statistics identify fentanyl as being responsible for 78 percent of all fatal overdoses in 2023. Additionally, drug reports indicate the presence of fentanyl in many other drug compositions besides just opioids.
There is always a lot to consider when discussing illegal use of substances, but one point that most agree on is that potentially life-saving measures are imperative. One way we can support our communities with this difficult issue is by providing education to bring awareness to our young people who are in the midst of important developmental growth and decision making about who they are becoming. By providing support and guidance, we can help them develop the skills and knowledge to be resilient in the face of adversity. This can help them to make healthier choices and understand potential risks. This will help to create a generation of empowered individuals who are not afraid to take action and make positive changes in their lives.
Supporters of this bill need help to implement it to combat the ongoing substance misuse issues that impact each and every one of us. We must work together in our communities to collaborate and identify areas of need and solutions in each corner of this complex problem. I encourage legislators and constituents to come to the table to speak to the multitude of issues surrounding substance misuse.
I believe school administrators and clinical professionals can move this forward if provided the necessary tools and support. There are great opportunities to provide children in middle school and high school grades with the skills to make informed decisions when they are equipped with the proper knowledge about health and safety for themselves and others.
Having experienced the death of a sibling related to drug misuse, there is no better time than the present to think critically and take charge of educating our youth on this topic. With drug overdoses recently at an all-time high and with growing amounts of fentanyl found in the supply chain, we must take preventative measures as our younger generations are exposed to this epidemic. Parents, caretakers, educators, clinical professionals, and other adults alike hold a great responsibility to provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and awareness that can build confident, safe, and healthy children.
