Overdose deaths among young people under 30 have surged in Georgia, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health, with deaths rising by 110% for ages 15-24 and 102% for ages 25-34 between 2019 and 2021. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, has played a major role in this increase, with fentanyl-related deaths spiking across all age groups.
One young student, Mady Cohen, is on a mission to diminish the number of these deaths. Her mission includes increasing the availability of and training people to use Narcan, “a nasal spray that can reverse opioid overdoses, including those caused by fentanyl or heroin. It works by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain, temporarily.”
Cohen launched “Mady’s Narcan Project” a few months ago. One of her goals, is “to put Narcan in every classroom at her high school.” Cohen informs that “she started the project in May after a classmate at Dunwoody High School overdosed.” Cohen expressed the powerful force within her to create her project. “I literally couldn’t sleep and I just got and did my research. I called Narcan and the next day I came in with the business proposal for our principal.”
Although Georgia passed a law “mandating that all high schools must stock Narcan,” Cohen deems the legislation to be deficient. “The guidelines are vague — there’s no specific rule on how much should be stored, and the law only states that Narcan has to be kept at “secure places.”” Cohen is expressed concern that Narcan, which must be administered by trained staff quickly once symptoms are recognized, will be too remoted in a school to be administered in a timely manner.
Jeff Breedlove is the strategic policy advisor at the Georgia Council for Recovery and advocates for expanded legislation to address drug abuse. September happens to be National Recovery Month and Breedlove and his team are traveling across Georgia to “spread awareness and advocate for further legislation.” Mady Cohen was a speaker when Breedlove’s tour bus stopped at Dunwoody. Cohen had inspiring news. Her goal to raise $5,000.00 was surpassed by $6,000.00. More poignantly, Cohen informed that “another girl overdosed at her school recently, but the staff had naloxone (Narcan) on hand. The girl lived.”