Rep. Katie Dempsey Joins DBHDD Commissioner Kevin Tanner to Equip Northwest Georgia Schools with Life-Saving Narcan

ATLANTA - State Representative Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources, recently joined the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) Commissioner Kevin Tanner, in partnership with the Northwest Georgia Regional Education Service Agency (RESA), to begin distributing opioid overdose reversal kits to 180 schools across Northwest Georgia on Tuesday, April 21. This effort is part of a broader statewide initiative launched last fall by DBHDD, the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) and the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust (GOCAT) to equip every public school in Georgia with Narcan, a life-saving opioid antagonist.

"Equipping our schools with Narcan is a critical, life-saving step in protecting our students and school communities," said Rep. Dempsey. "I'm grateful to Commissioner Kevin Tanner for his leadership and State Senator Chuck Hufstetler for his continued partnership and commitment to addressing the opioid crisis. Their efforts, alongside our local and state partners, are making a meaningful difference for schools and families across Northwest Georgia."

"Moments like this show what's possible when urgency meets strong partnership," said DBHDD Commissioner Kevin Tanner. "We're grateful to Director Brian Otott and Northwest Georgia RESA for opening their doors and helping turn this life-saving effort into action for schools across the region. We also want to recognize the leadership of Representative Katie Dempsey and Senator Chuck Hufstetler, who have consistently fought to invest in behavioral health and acted quickly to ensure Northwest Georgia schools are equipped with the tools they need. Northwest Georgia schools can feel confident knowing their state leaders have their back."

On Tuesday, DBHDD partnered with Northwest Georgia RESA to host a "Stuff the Box" event, assembling all 180 kits designated for the RESA's catchment area. Rep. Dempsey, State Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome), along with partners from Highland Rivers Behavioral Health and Bridge Health Community Service Board, participated in the event. In total, more than 40 local educational, behavioral health and public safety professionals came together to help assemble the kits, with several schools picking up their completed kits the same day.

The statewide initiative has already reached more than 1,300 schools. DBHDD anticipates a total of 2,300 schools will be equipped by the end of the school year.

Funded by opioid settlement dollars administered by GOCAT, the Georgia Overdose Response Partnership is a proactive, life-saving effort that ensures school staff are equipped to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose emergency. The initiative supports the intent of Senate Bill 395 (known as "Wesley's Law"). Wesley's Law empowers schools to obtain and administer opioid antagonists and provides immunity to staff acting in good faith.

Rep. Dempsey joins DBHDD in extending her appreciation to State Superintendent Richard Woods and all RESA directors for their support and partnership in coordinating this work.

*Editor's note: Photos from the event may be downloaded here.

Representative Katie Dempsey represents the citizens of District 13, which includes a portion of Floyd County. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2006 and currently serves as Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources. She also serves on the Economic Development & Tourism, Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Higher Education, Public and Community Health, Rules and Transportation committees, as well as the Special Committee on Healthcare.

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