An Act to Require Schools to Provide Instruction Regarding Prevention of the Illegal Use of Fentanyl and Other Drugs and Drug Poisoning Awareness in Grades 6 to 12 and to Establish Drug Poisoning Awareness Week
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 2089
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: FARRIN, DUCHARME, JACKSON, KEIM, LIBBY, PIERCE, RAFFERTY, CRAFTS, DUNPHY
Amends: 1 MRSA §150-V, 20-A MRSA §4710-D

Legislative Document
No. 2089
S.P. 882
In Senate, January 3, 2024
An Act to Require Schools to Provide Instruction Regarding 
Prevention of the Illegal Use of Fentanyl and Other Drugs and Drug 
Poisoning Awareness in Grades 6 to 12 and to Establish Drug 
Poisoning Awareness Week
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203.
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator FARRIN of Somerset.
Cosponsored by Representative DUCHARME of Madison and
Senators: President JACKSON of Aroostook, KEIM of Oxford, LIBBY of Cumberland, 
PIERCE of Cumberland, RAFFERTY of York, Representatives: CRAFTS of Newcastle, 
DUNPHY of Embden.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  1 MRSA §150-V is enacted to read:
§150-V.  Drug Poisoning Awareness Week
The 3rd full week of October of each year is designated as Drug Poisoning Awareness 
Week to promote the public's awareness of the public health threat posed by the illegal use 
of fentanyl and its effect on the lives of citizens and their families throughout the State, as 
well as the effects of the illegal use of other drugs, and the Governor shall annually issue a 
proclamation inviting and urging the people of the State to observe this week in schools 
and other suitable places with appropriate activity.
Sec. 2.  20-A MRSA §4710-D is enacted to read:
§4710-D.  Prevention of illegal use of fentanyl and other drugs and drug poisoning 
awareness
1.  Research-based instruction.  A public or private elementary or secondary school 
shall annually provide not fewer than 10 hours of research-based instruction related to 
prevention of the illegal use of fentanyl and other drugs with a high risk of overdose and 
drug poisoning awareness to students in grades 6 to 12.
2.  Requirements.  The instruction required by subsection 1 must include:
A.  Recognition of signs and symptoms of mental illness;
B.  Suicide prevention;
C.  Prevention of the illegal use of and addiction to fentanyl and other drugs with a 
high risk of overdose;
D.  Awareness of local school and community resources and any processes involved in 
accessing those resources; 
E.  Health education that includes information about substance use and substance use 
disorder, including youth substance use and substance use disorder; and
F.  Information on how to reverse an overdose.
3.  Provider.  The instruction required by subsection 1 may be provided by an entity 
or an employee or agent of an entity that is:
A.  A public or private institution of higher education;
B.  A community-based organization;
C.  A religious organization; or
D.  A local public health agency specializing in health, mental health or substance use 
disorder.
SUMMARY
This bill requires not fewer than 10 hours of instruction in a school year for grades 6 
to 12 regarding prevention of the illegal use of fentanyl and other drugs with a high risk of 
overdose and drug poisoning awareness.  It also establishes the 3rd full week of October 
annually as Drug Poisoning Awareness Week.