School Trustees Approve Overdose Medication Be Placed at Schools
At the regular December Mineral Wells ISD School Board meeting, members approved the placement of Narcan, a commonly known anti-opiate drug onto district campuses.
Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist which means it can reverse and block the effects of other opioids. The medication is administered as an inhalant through the nose and it’s safe for anyone.
“While we at MWISD hope an opioid overdose situation never occurs at one of our facilities, we have hundreds of people on-site both for school events and for after-hours events like sporting events. We would rather have NARCAN on hand and never need it, than need it and not have it available for the prompt treatment of an overdose situation. It could very well save a life,”
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the number of drug overdose deaths in
the US in 2020 reached almost 92,000 persons, an increase of over 20,000 deaths from the previous
year, and more than four times the number of overdose deaths in the year 2000.
“We do want you to know that it only works for people who are having an opiate overdose. It won’t harm someone if that’s not the medical issue they are having. It’s not dangerous,” said Superintendent John Kuhn.
An epidemic of fentanyl overdoses is plaguing the country, including here in Texas.
Nearly half of all drug deaths in Texas are attributed to opioids. According to Department of State Health Services in Texas, although the epidemic impacts people of all ages, the age group between 15 and 24 makes up nearly 10% of all deaths involving opioids.
According to the Texas Association of School Boards, schools may be in a unique position to help someone experiencing an opioid overdose. They go on to say in their website that Texas law recognizes the importance of preparing those who are in the position to assist someone experiencing an opioid overdose.
Governor Greg Abbott has recently said he wants to see some of the State’s $27 billion budget surplus to go towards arming all schools across the State of Texas with Narcan.
MWISD is ahead of the curve and like many other school districts, will now have access to this potentially life saving drug.
