In a significant move to safeguard the well-being of middle and high school students across California, Governor Newsom has signed a vital piece of legislation, SB 10,  known as Melanie’s Law. This new law mandates measures to prevent and respond to fentanyl overdoses in the youth population. Governor Newsom made this announcement last Friday.

Fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid, is responsible for a startling one in five youth fatalities in California. Alarming statistics from Santa Clara County indicate an astonishing 863% increase in fentanyl-related deaths between 2018 and 2021.

What’s In Melanie’s Law?

SB 10 now necessitates that every public school in the state take concrete steps to protect its students. This includes providing comprehensive training to school staff on opioid prevention and life-saving response strategies. All of this is outlined within a formal plan referred to as the Comprehensive School Safety Plan (CSSP).

The legislation also establishes a state-level framework designed to enhance awareness of the growing risk of youth fentanyl exposure. It ensures that both students and adults have access to the necessary resources, education, and training to effectively prevent and respond to fentanyl poisoning and overdoses.

This move by Governor Newsom and Senator Cortese is a critical step in curbing the tragic consequences of fentanyl use among California’s youth.

“When we wrote this bill one year ago, we knew that it would be our most significant piece of legislation in 2023. SB 10 was our top priority because fentanyl has left a trail of devastation across California, and our bill establishes a series of concrete solutions to protect young people,” said Senator Cortese (D-San Jose). “We created a coalition of parents and educators unwilling to stand by while another young life is lost. This law will train educators on life-saving fentanyl response and give students and adults the resources and knowledge to stop the opioid epidemic in their communities. As we celebrate SB 10 becoming law, we honor Melanie Ramos, a bright teenager who lost her life to fentanyl. Melanie’s Law will save young lives in California for decades to come.”

SB 10 and More Work to Do to Save Young Lives

SB 10 also promotes drug education to teachers, family members, and other people who may have teens in their lives who experiment with drugs.

SB 10 would also give school staff, students, and families information about the growing risk of opioids, informational material, and safety advice in partnership with the California Department of Education. The motivation behind SB 10 stemmed from the collaborative efforts of the Santa Clara County Fentanyl Working Group.

This dedicated group comprises key stakeholders such as the Santa Clara County Office of Education, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen, the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors, Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services, and the Santa Clara County Opioid Overdose Prevention Project.

The primary objective of the working group was to mitigate the impact of fentanyl on the community using a comprehensive approach. Their strategy encompasses initiatives aimed at enhancing awareness of the risks associated with fentanyl. Schools at all levels need basic drug education. They also want to focus on making life-saving opioid reversal medication readily available.

SB 10 has garnered widespread support from various influential stakeholders. Notable endorsements come from Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, the California Teachers Association, the California Federation of Teachers, the Santa Clara County School Boards Association, the Los Angeles County Office of Education, ACLU California, and the California School Nurses Organization.

“The Santa Clara County Office of Education proudly co-sponsored SB10 because we understand the necessity of equipping every secondary school with the knowledge and tools to educate our students about the prevalence of fentanyl and if necessary, save a student who is overdosing,” said County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, of the new law. “Santa Clara County schools will continue to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl.”