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Education

Cultum appointed to task force to address opioid crisis in schools

Posted 1/30/25

Eric Cultum, a Governing Board Member for the Agua Fria High School District, has been appointed to Arizona’s School Training Overdose Preparation and Intelligence Task Force, an initiative …

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Education

Cultum appointed to task force to address opioid crisis in schools

Posted

Eric Cultum, a Governing Board Member for the Agua Fria High School District, has been appointed to Arizona’s School Training Overdose Preparation and Intelligence Task Force, an initiative focused on addressing the opioid and fentanyl crisis in Arizona schools.

Cultum, who has 28 years of experience in K-12 education, said he is committed to ensuring student safety in his new role. “Our high schools must be places of learning and safety,” Cultum stated. “Joining this task force strengthens our commitment to protecting students in Agua Fria High School District and beyond.” 

 As part of STOPIT, Cultum will collaborate with other task force members to equip Arizona schools with Narcan, an opioid overdose reversal drug, and ensure that school staff are trained to use it in emergency situations. The task force will also work to implement educational programs to raise awareness about opioid use, particularly fentanyl, among students and staff. Cultum’s appointment aligns with his broader goals for the Agua Fria High School District, where he has worked to improve student outcomes and create a safe environment for learning. 

 In May 2024 Tom Horne, Arizona’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, announced the creation of STOPIT and a statewide plan to distribute Narcan to schools. In 2023, Arizona recorded more than 1,800 opioid-related deaths, with fentanyl contributing significantly to the rise in fatalities among young people. 

 “Sadly, overdoses are a reality for school-aged children throughout Arizona. Fentanyl can kill students within minutes of an overdose. It is vitally important that all schools have Narcan available to help save student lives if it should happen on campus,” Horne stated. 

The initiative also includes partnerships with organizations such as Terros Health, Mayo Clinic, and the Sold Out Youth Foundation, which will provide educational resources and training for school staff, students, and parents. The goal is to reduce opioid abuse and improve preparedness in schools across the state. 

The task force will also focus on providing schools with educational materials about the dangers of fentanyl. The Sold Out Youth Foundation is offering free online platforms and curricula designed to inform students, parents, and school staff about the risks of fentanyl.

 Dr. Holly Geyer, an addiction medicine specialist at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, said it is critical to address fentanyl use in Arizona, given the state’s role as a key point for trafficking the drug.

“There has never been a greater need to prepare the next generation with the knowledge and tools necessary to combat the opioid epidemic. With more than 50 percent of U.S. fentanyl being trafficked directly through our state, we are ground zero. It’s time to bring solutions as big as the problem to the table. This task force has assembled a wide array of proven thought leaders whose collective expertise can and will change the landscape of our state’s opioid overdose trends,” Geyer stated. 

 Cultum’s appointment to STOPIT reflects ongoing efforts to improve student safety and address the opioid epidemic in Arizona schools. His role is expected to contribute to the state’s broader efforts to combat opioid abuse. Arizona’s Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Visit azed.gov for more information on the STOPIT task force or to access educational resources.

Agua Fria High School District, Eric Cultum, STOPIT, Tom Horne, Fentanyl

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