Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 17-92-101(17), Governor Asa Hutchinson along with the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy announced the Naloxone Protocol for Arkansas, which allows Arkansas-licensed pharmacists to dispense naloxone, along with any necessary supplies for administration, to eligible persons who are at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose, or who are family members, friends, or others who are in a position to assist a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose.  The full protocol along with supplemental resources may be found on the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy website. 

To reduce the morbidity and mortality of opioid overdoses among students, Arkansas Public Schools may choose to stock naloxone for use in emergencies.  Districts are encouraged to develop procedures for stocking and administration of an anti-opioid and include this information in their school policies.

NARCAN® Nasal Spray (naloxone HCL) is an FDA-approved nasal form of naloxone for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose. Emergent BioSolutions, the creator of NARCAN®, provides every high school throughout the country access to 2 cartons of Nasal Spray (4 doses) and up to 4 cartons (8 doses) for Title IV, degree-granting, 2- and 4-year institutions at no cost. Order forms for High Schools, Colleges, and Universities are available at https://www.narcan.com/community/education-awareness-and-training-resources/. 

Dr. Bala Simon of the Arkansas Department of Health has issued an Authorization Letter to assist approved Arkansas entities in applying for the NARCAN® program provided by Emergent BioSolutions.  Entities may use either a local prescriber, or this document, as proof of the Authorized Representative required on the order form. 

For additional information on naloxone in schools, including how to obtain free or reduced cost NARCAN®, please visit the Naloxone in Schools webpage https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/communications/safety/naloxone-in-schools