Akron, Ohio Schools to Stock Opioid Overdose Drug

Schools in Akron, Ohio will soon stock a drug that can revive people who have overdosed on opioids.

NBC News reports that the school board voted to put Narcan in the city's schools.

One member of the board, however, disagreed with the decision and voted against it.

"The people who talked to me said they agreed with me," Debbie Walsh told NBC. "They, too, are worried that having it on hand might be creating an even bigger problem by sending the message to kids: 'Don't worry, take drugs. We've got Narcan to save you.'"

NBC reports that almost 4,000 Ohioans overdosed on drugs last year, up from 3,050 in 2015.

The state of Ohio sued several drugmakers in May and said they have played a role in the opioid epidemic that has enveloped the nation in recent years, according to The New York Times.

Opioids are most commonly used in the medical world to relieve pain.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich has tried to use legislation to help curb his state's opioid problem, signing a bill in January and instituting limits on opioid prescriptions in March.

A new analysis claims opioids could kill nearly half a million Americans over the next 10 years.

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