Senator Jeanne Shaheen today introduced the bipartisan Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act to help prevent youth opioid use by funding partnerships between schools and Drug-Free Communities. (Colin Booth/Granite Post)
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), joined by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Laphonza Butler (D-CA), today introduced the Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act, a bipartisan effort aimed at combating youth opioid use.
The bill proposes a new grant program under the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) initiative, allocating $7 million annually for five years. This funding would enable DFC coalitions to collaborate with schools on opioid education and prevention. A companion bill is being led in the House by Representatives Linda Sánchez (D-CA) and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR).
Shaheen, reflecting on the opioid crisis in New Hampshire, said the state must reach young people before opioids become an influence in their lives.
“In New Hampshire, we’ve lost too many Granite Staters — and far too many young people — to opioids. We can and must do more to bring an end to this epidemic and save lives. The bipartisan Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act will help communities across New Hampshire and the nation stem opioid misuse in schools by educating kids about the dangers of opioid use and working to help prevent overdoses,” Said Shaheen in a statement after the bill was introduced.
RELATED: Craig and Goodlander set to lead New Hampshire Democrats into high-stakes November races
Shaheen has been a leader in securing funding for substance use disorder initiatives, including $29.8 million in State Opioid Response (SOR) grants for New Hampshire in 2024. Through her advocacy, federal support for treatment and prevention in New Hampshire has increased tenfold.
New Hampshire has been significantly impacted by the opioid crisis, with around 417 drug overdose deaths recorded in 2022, largely driven by opioids such as fentanyl, which has been involved in approximately 80% of overdose fatalities in recent years, making it a critical factor in the state’s ongoing struggle against opioid misuse.
Youth opioid misuse is also a growing concern, with schools increasingly focused on prevention efforts. New Hampshire has expanded treatment options through federal funding and local programs, enhancing access to life-saving resources in response to the crisis.
Author
Support Our Cause
Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for New Hampshirites and our future.
Since day one, our goal here at Granite Post has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Granite State families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.
NH Health providers deeply alarmed over Ayotte and Trump’s potential Medicaid cuts
Top community health service providers, advocates and impacted individuals joined Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander at Gateways Community Services in...
NH GOP Boot Doctor From Health Committee
New Hampshire Republicans booted the only Republican doctor in the state legislature from a key health committee ahead of a vote to eliminate a...
Proposed changes to Medicaid could cost NH $500 M annually
Changes proposed to Medicaid under President Donald Trump’s new administration could cost the Granite State almost $500 million annually, a new...
New analysis shows GOP plans threaten Medicaid coverage for 61,713 Granite Staters
A new proposal backed by former President Donald Trump and his allies in Congress could threaten health care coverage for over 60,000 New Hampshire...
Dartmouth Health ditches policy requiring COVID vaccination for kidney transplants
Dartmouth Health will no longer require patients undergoing kidney transplants to be vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the attorney...
NH Attorney General approves sale of Catholic Medical Center to for-profit company
Owing to the Catholic Medical Center’s financial condition, New Hampshire’s Attorney General has approved the terms of sale of the Manchester-based...
