Alabama high school officials may soon be able to administer a life-saving drug if a student overdoses on opioids.

The Alabama State Department of Education and the Alabama Department of Public Health announced that naloxone, a drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, will be available in Alabama public high schools.

A state program will train school officials, such as administrators and coaches, how to administer the drug.

The program is available to all public high schools, but it is not mandatory.

The state agencies said Alabama is one of only a few states to develop a training program that allows naloxone to be given by people other than school nurses.

State Superintendent Eric Mackey said the program could save lives.
(Associated Press, copyright 2018)

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