I am against lowering student overdoes discrepancy . I want strict controls to ban opioids and fentanyl in school

It’s crucial for the Virginia Board of Education to implement policies requiring parental notification within 24 hours when students experience drug overdoses for several key reasons: 1. Parental Awareness and Responsibility: Parents play a central role in the health and safety of their children. By ensuring that parents are immediately notified if their child experiences a drug overdose, it allows them to intervene quickly and provide necessary support. In situations like these, parental involvement can be critical in addressing the issue before it escalates further, whether through seeking professional treatment, initiating conversations, or setting up preventative measures. 2. Early Intervention: Timely notification of a drug overdose can lead to faster intervention from parents, healthcare professionals, or even law enforcement, if necessary. Early intervention could save lives by preventing a recurrence or addressing the root cause of the issue, such as substance abuse. 3. Safety Concerns: If overdose incidents are not communicated to parents, there’s a risk that the underlying issue—drug use—could go unaddressed for longer periods of time. For example, the 11 reported drug overdoses at Park View High School in Sterling, Virginia, may only be the tip of the iceberg, with many other incidents potentially going unreported or unnoticed by parents. Parental notification ensures that no case is left in the dark, and that all students who are at risk receive appropriate care and attention. 4. Transparency and Accountability: Schools and the broader community need to be transparent about what is happening on campus. By making it a policy to notify parents of drug overdoses within 24 hours, the Virginia Board of Education would help maintain trust between parents and schools, as well as ensure that administrators are taking appropriate action to safeguard student well-being. 5. Support for Preventive Measures: Notifying parents in a timely manner enables families to participate in prevention efforts. If parents are aware of overdose incidents early, they can collaborate with school officials and health experts to address the problem, which may involve educational programs, counseling services, or stronger school policies regarding substance use. Given the rising concerns around drug use among students, particularly Fentanyl and Opioids, making sure parents are swiftly informed could be a game-changer in preventing further overdoses and promoting safer school environments. The urgency of addressing this public health issue requires coordinated action between schools, parents, and the community at large.

I am the President and founder of Army of Parents, Inc, but more importantly I am concerned parent, community member, and advocate for the safety and well-being of our children. I am in strong support of Delegate Harry Higgins’s HB2424, which would require schools to notify parents within 24 hours of an in-school overdose incident. In Loudoun County, we have seen firsthand the devastating rise in overdoses among young people. These incidents are not isolated; they are a symptom of a larger crisis that cannot be ignored. Tragically, we know that Loudoun County Public Schools have downplayed and, in some cases, covered up overdose incidents, keeping parents in the dark about life-threatening dangers within our schools and community. This is unacceptable. HB2424 addresses this critical gap by ensuring transparency and timely communication between schools and families—a fundamental step in protecting our children. Every day that passes without this law puts more children at risk. When parents are left uninformed, they are unable to take the critical steps necessary to address potential substance use, provide support, and even save lives. Parents are the first line of defense for their children, but we can only fulfill that role if we have the information needed to protect them. Voting against HB2424 is a vote against the safety of our kids. This bill is not about politics or ideological agenda; it’s about ensuring that parents are empowered to keep their children safe. Communication within the family unit is essential, especially when it comes to issues as grave as drug use and overdoses. If an overdose happens in a school, it signals a threat to the safety of all students and the community—not just the one who overdosed. Parents deserve to know when these events occur so they can take appropriate steps to safeguard their children. The argument that parents don’t need to be informed is deeply flawed. Schools are entrusted with the care and safety of children during the school day, but that trust must include transparency and accountability, while keeping the name of the student who overdosed private. Opposing this bill suggests that schools and administrators know better than parents how to protect children—a dangerous and unacceptable assumption. I urge this subcommittee to do the right thing. Do not let this bill die like it did last year. Passing HB2424 sends a clear message: that the safety of our children is paramount and that parents have an undeniable right to be informed about incidents that put their children at risk. Do not wait until another tragic overdose forces action. ACT NOW. Please vote in favor of HB2424. and ensure that families have the information they need to protect their children.

I strongly support Delegate Higgins’s HB2424, which underscores schools’ responsibility to notify parents about drug overdoses, particularly in Loudoun County, where overdose numbers remain alarmingly high. Transparency and timely communication are essential in addressing this crisis, and empowering parents with critical information is a vital step in protecting our students. Governor Youngkin’s Executive Order, requiring schools to notify parents within 24 hours, has already proven to be a crucial measure. HB2424 builds on this foundation by codifying parental notification into law, ensuring consistency and accountability across all schools. This legislation prioritizes the safety and well-being of our children while fostering the collaboration needed to combat the growing threat of drug abuse in our communities. I urge its swift passage.

The schools should always notify parents about what is happening at school.