SPOKANE, Wash. — Wiping her tears away, Maria Petty testified in Olympia before the house committee on education, sharing her family's tragic story with state lawmakers.
"I'm a mother of four," Petty said. "I lost my 16-year-old son on Oct. 31st, 2022 to what was ruled as a fentanyl poisoning."
A bi-partisan bill making its way through the state senate would require schools to educate middle and high school students on the dangers of fentanyl and other opioids. Another bill would require districts to keep nalaxone, a medication that can reverse an overdose, on campus.
"High school is the age kids feel invincible and curious," Petty said. "I don't believe that the majority of these children that have died from the drug or become addicted to this drug were out looking for fentanyl. It's our job as parents and educators to ensure our youth is being properly educated and supported through this devastating epidemic."
Spokane Public Schools is already looking to expand its substance abuse curriculum and support for students who are experimenting or addicted to drugs, including nicotine.
The district is moving forward with plans to develop a K-12 comprehensive plan for preventing and educating students on substance abuse.
Right now, SPS has 40 mental health therapists and two drug treatment counselors. The district is considering increasing the number to five.
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