Naloxone Access in Schools: A National Survey of School Nurses in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: To describe naloxone availability, accessibility, barriers and facilitators to naloxone availability in United States-based schools. METHODS: In May and September 2024, we conducted an optional, cross-sectional national survey of K-12 school nurse members of the National Association of School Nurses. The anonymous emailed survey assessed: (a) nurse demographics, (b) school and community characteristics, (c) school naloxone availability and accessibility, (d) related barriers and facilitators, and (e) available naloxone trainings. RESULTS: Respondents included n=462 school nurses (response rate 23%) from 44 states. The majority reported their school(s) stocked naloxone (90%); many (18%) reported prior naloxone administration on campus. A third (37%) reported restrictions on who can access/administer naloxone. Few schools (6%) provided student naloxone training. Nurses reported experience with prior school (11% respondents) and/or community overdose (44%). CONCLUSIONS: In this exploratory national survey, most school nurses reported that their K-12 school(s) stocked naloxone. However, many schools limit who can access and administer naloxone, and few provide training to students. There is an urgent need to improve naloxone availability and accessibility to optimize access to this potentially life-saving treatment.