All state college campuses will now be required to have overdose reversers in student housing.
The new requirement comes after Gov. Kathy Hochul signed Hudson Valley state Sen. Michelle Hinchey’s bill requiring SUNY and CUNY schools to keep overdose reversing drugs like Narcan in all college-owned residence halls.
Schools will also have to train resident assistants on how to give them.
“This will save countless young lives and transform on-campus safety,” said Hinchey.
Hinchey’s team acknowledged more New Yorkers die of overdose in a year than from car crashes, suicides, and homicides combined. They added Hudson Valley communities have some of the highest rates of opioid overdose deaths.
The law takes effect right away so schools will have to start creating policies and training RAs as soon as possible.