UPDATE: Naloxone in MN schools. What you should know.

September 25, 2023 By: Education Director

Beginning July 1, 2023, the state of Minnesota passed a mandate requiring Minnesota schools to have naloxone on site. Here’s what schools should know about the law, including some recent updates on resources and processes to obtain the medication.

1. Ordering

The Minnesota Department of Health has officially launched their Standing Order and Naloxone Portal. This program provides free naloxone to the mandated groups in the State of Minnesota, which includes:

  • Schools (Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.224, subdivision 1)
  • Corrections (Minn. Stat. § 241.021, subd. 1)
  • Law Enforcement (Minn. Stat. § 151.37, subd. 12)
  • Site-based or group housing support settings (Minn. Stat. § 121A.224, subd. 12)
  • Sober homes (Minn.Stat. § 254B.818, subd. 1)

Once registered through the portal, schools can directly order nasal naloxone and sign up for the state’s standing order and condition specific protocol.

For questions related to the standing order and naloxone portal, contact: health.naloxone_admin@crm.mn.gov

MDH Naloxone Portal

2. Naloxone Policy

MDH’s School Toolkit includes a sample school policy. Per law, schools have flexibility in what they include in their policies, and may choose to not have one at all. We recommend a policy to outline a plan for medication use, storage, maintenance, training, etc.

For questions related to implementing a naloxone policy, contact: health.school.health@state.mn.us

MDH School Toolkit

3. Training

Steve Rummler HOPE Network can help train school staff on overdose response and naloxone administration. We offer many convenient training options in both virtual and live formats.

If you’re interested in training and youth-focused education for students, we recommend Change the Outcome.

SRHN Naloxone Training

4. Extra Naloxone?

Naloxone can only be ordered by the case through the MDH Portal (this is 24 doses). If you’d like to donate your additional doses to ensure they are distributed in community before the FDA-required expiration date, please ship to:

Steve Rummler HOPE Network
2233 University Ave W STE 325
Saint Paul, MN 55114

Or contact Alicia House (ahouse@rummlerhope.org) for local pickup!

Thank you!

Categories: Community Awareness