Bill > A05745

This bill amends the New York State education law to enhance substance use prevention and recovery education in schools by requiring the commissioner of education to develop comprehensive, annually updated resource materials in consultation with the office of addiction services and supports. These resource materials must provide age-appropriate, evidence-based information for students, parents, and school staff about substance use risks, including specific guidance on prescription pain medication and heroin abuse. The materials must cover a wide range of topics such as the scientific and social impacts of drug use, the substance use continuum, harm reduction strategies, overdose response, the effects of trauma, health inequities, and coping strategies. The resources aim to be interactive, culturally representative, and inclusive of diverse perspectives, including lived experiences of individuals affected by substance use. The bill mandates that these materials be distributed to all school districts, made available online, and used to support health education curriculum in junior and senior high schools, with the goal of helping students understand and mitigate substance use risks through comprehensive, nuanced, and compassionate educational approaches.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5745