Arizona’s STOP-IT taskforce tackles fentanyl in schools

In response to the rising concern over fentanyl overdoses among students, the Arizona Department of Education has launched a new initiative: the School Training Overdose Preparedness and Intelligence Taskforce (STOP-IT). This dedicated taskforce is focused on reducing the number of fentanyl-related incidents in educational institutions across the state.

STOP-IT’s primary mission is to enhance awareness and preparedness by delivering comprehensive educational programs to both students and school staff. The taskforce will provide vital information about the dangers of fentanyl, strategies for prevention and protocols for managing overdose situations effectively. By fostering a well-informed and proactive school environment, STOP-IT aims to create safer learning spaces and mitigate the impact of this potent substance.

Dr. Holly Geyer, a leading Addiction Specialist at Mayo Clinic Arizona, appeared on “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the objectives and strategies of the STOP-IT initiative. Dr. Geyer’s insights shed light on the importance of this new taskforce and the role it plays in safeguarding the health and well-being of students across Arizona.

“We recognize that the opioid epidemic is taking Arizona by storm,” Dr. Geyer said. “Many people in our audience may not know, but more than half of the fentanyl trafficked into the United States comes straight through Arizona. We are the epicenter.”

Dr. Geyer said STOP-IT helps make sure schools are prepared with naloxone and have policies and procedures in place as well as education.

She also added we don’t know what is going on in our schools. “That’s the scary thing,” Dr. Geyer said.

Some of the numbers that have come in over the last couple of years from epidemiologic studies revealed there are more than 180 overdoses that have occurred in kids under the age of 18. But according to Dr. Geyer, the state has no mandate for schools to monitor how many overdoses take place.

“The DEA has run a great campaign; the “One Pill Can Kill” campaign has good numbers on it,” Dr. Geyer said. “We recognize that 7 out of every 10 fentanyl pills that are out there have enough fentanyl in that pill to kill the average American adult, and now these things are being stamped into things that look like standard prescription pills, xanex, oxycontin, oxycodone; they’re hard to tell apart. And now, they’re coming in flavored candy versions, different scents, smells, targeting kids.”

Dr. Geyer said as they roll out STOP-IT, they hope the educational curriculum they develop for schools will use social influencers to help spread the message.