AZ Department of Education Unveils STOP-IT Task Force to Combat Fentanyl Awareness

The Arizona Department of Education has launched a new initiative to combat the escalating fentanyl crisis affecting schools across the state. Known as the School Training Overdose Preparedness and Intelligence Taskforce (STOP-IT), this program aims to educate both students and staff on the dangers of fentanyl while implementing preventative measures.

Fentanyl-related overdoses have reached alarming levels in Arizona, particularly among youth.

According to Cheri Oz, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Phoenix Field Division, the statistics are staggering: “Last year, 70% of the pills we seized contained a lethal dose. You had a seven out of 10 chance of taking a pill … for the very first time and not surviving.”

Tragedy struck for Gustavo Ayala when he lost his 17-year-old son, Noah, to a fentanyl overdose in March. “This is a crisis that knows no boundaries—geographic, economic, or demographic. It has affected families and every corner of society, including my own,” he remarked during a panel discussion at Barry Goldwater High School last month.

Data from the state Department of Health Services indicates that five people die daily from opioid overdoses in Arizona. Phoenix police Officer Kenneth Silvia summarized the widespread impact: “It’s not just the victims that die from usage; it’s also about those who handle and transport these substances.”

In response to growing concerns among parents and educators, the STOP-IT Task Force is establishing proactive measures in schools. These include distributing naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, alongside pamphlets and educational assemblies for students.

STOP-IT functions as a collaborative effort, partnering with organizations such as Terros Health and the Mayo Clinic to enhance its outreach and support.

Dr. Vanna Campion, chief medical officer of Terros Health, explained the task force’s mission: “If you can prevent an overdose-related death, there is hope for the future.” The organization emphasizes the educational component about naloxone’s importance in saving lives.

Naloxone is available over the counter at pharmacies and is crucial for first responders. The task force is actively supplying schools with this lifesaving medication and training staff on its administration.

Maricopa County has seen a staggering 4,900% increase in fentanyl deaths since 2015, with this drug surpassing methamphetamines as the leading cause of drug-related fatalities. Supervisor Clint Hickman highlighted that 63% of all drug-related deaths in the county involve fentanyl.

Tom Horne, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, has also endorsed the Sold Out Youth Foundation, which provides schools with free, interactive resources addressing fentanyl risks. The foundation offers a comprehensive curriculum on fentanyl education tailored for various age groups.

Roman Gabriel III, CEO of the foundation, stressed the significance of dismantling the stigma around discussing fentanyl. “One of the problems with fear is stigma. Lack of information and misinformation causes fear,” he said, detailing the organization’s efforts to facilitate open dialogues between students and parents through school assemblies across the nation.