February 15, 2026 · AzSAM
RESPONSE: Building a National Framework for School Overdose Prevention and Preparedness
Several AzSAM leaders are helping lead the national RESPONSE initiative — developing the first comprehensive national framework for school overdose prevention and preparedness in partnership with the NFL Alumni Health Initiative, The Naloxone Project, ACEP, ASHA, and school health leaders across the country.
The overdose crisis has increasingly impacted children, adolescents, and school communities across the United States. Drug overdoses are now among the leading causes of death for adolescents, while illicit fentanyl and counterfeit pills continue to drive unprecedented increases in youth overdose deaths. Despite these trends, schools have historically lacked standardized guidance on overdose prevention, emergency response, naloxone access, staff training, student education, and post-overdose management. The RESPONSE (Responding to Opioids through Prevention, School Education, and Emergency Preparedness) initiative was created to address this critical gap and establish a coordinated, evidence-based approach to protecting students nationwide.
Several AzSAM leaders are helping lead the national RESPONSE initiative, working in collaboration with founding partners including the NFL Alumni Health Initiative, The Naloxone Project, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), and the American School Health Association (ASHA), along with school health leaders, emergency medicine specialists, educators, public health organizations, and policymakers from across the country. Together, these collaborators are developing the first comprehensive national framework for school overdose prevention and preparedness. This effort includes a 50-state policy review, model legislation, school policy templates, student and staff educational resources, naloxone implementation guidance, parent toolkits, and the first national survey designed to evaluate overdose events and preparedness within K–12 schools.
The RESPONSE initiative reflects the commitment of Arizona addiction medicine leaders to bring evidence-based expertise into the places where prevention can have the greatest impact. By uniting leaders from education, medicine, public health, law enforcement, and community organizations, RESPONSE is helping schools become better equipped to prevent overdoses, respond effectively during emergencies, and support healthier futures for students and families across America.
Learn more about RESPONSE:
RESPONSE Initiative: https://responseinitiative.org
The Naloxone Project: https://www.naloxoneproject.com
NFL Alumni Health Initiative: https://www.nflalumnihealth.org
American College of Emergency Physicians: https://www.acep.org
American School Health Association: https://www.ashaweb.org
AzSAM members interested in contributing to national efforts related to school health, overdose prevention, policy development, research, or educational content are encouraged to contact AzSAM to learn how they can become involved in the RESPONSE initiative.