High School-Based Naloxone Curriculum: Development and Preliminary Evaluation

The rate of opioid overdose among adolescents is increasing, demonstrating the need for effective prevention strategies. This study evaluates a high school-based naloxone education curriculum developed to equip students with the skills to respond to an opioid overdose.

A 20-min curriculum was designed and delivered to students at Massachusetts high schools. The curriculum was designed by study authors with input from multiple experts in secondary education and harm reduction. Post-training, students voluntarily completed an anonymous survey evaluating knowledge gains, confidence in administering naloxone, and attitudes toward overdose response education. Confidence in administering naloxone increased significantly post-training (29% pre-training vs. 80% post-training, p < 0.001). Students rated the training as very or extremely important (85%), easy to learn (86%), and strongly supported its inclusion in mandatory school health curricula (81%).

This curriculum represents a feasible strategy for schools to address the opioid overdose epidemic through prevention education and can be supported by statewide educational policy implementation.

Naloxone training effectively improves adolescent confidence in overdose response and is widely supported by students.