Just in case: schools in California are handing out drug overdose medicines

Sacramento City Unified is delivering Narcan, a drug that can eliminate opioid overdoses, to county campuses as fentanyl overdoses soar, reports KCRA.

Photo: IStock

District leaders stressed that narcan would only be available in emergencies and would be kept by staff. It will not be distributed to students.

“The opioid crisis is really affecting our entire community,” said Victoria Flores, executive director of student support services.

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The district announced to parents that narcan, an overdose medication, would be available on its campuses starting October 10. Flores said Narcan is another tool that teachers and staff can have on hand to help keep students safe.

“All of our schools are stocked with emergency drugs or emergency equipment,” she said.

She cited EpiPens for treating allergic reactions and AED for treating heart problems as supplies already available in case they are needed at school.

“Now we are adding Narcan, which we know can be effective in cases of suspected opioid overdose,” Flores said.

Flores said opioids and fentanyl are being marketed to both adults and youth, especially on social media.

According to the DEA, the synthetic opioid is similar to morphine, but about 100 times stronger. However, in most cases, illicit fentanyl is also mixed with other illicit drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine to enhance its effects. The Drug Enforcement Administration has stated that two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal depending on a person's weight.

As of 2020, fentanyl is the #1 killer among adults aged 18 to 45, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In September, the California Department of Public Health issued a fentanyl alert urging school districts to take action against rising overdose rates among youth.

"We really just want to make sure we're doing everything we can to protect the health and safety of our community," Flores said.

But parents may wonder: what is a narcotic?

Lori Miller, of the department's health service, explained that the drug, a nasal spray, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration as an overdose drug with "life-saving" potential.

“Narcan has many benefits,” Miller said. “It restores normal breathing.”

Miller explained that during an overdose, she said, breathing slows or stops.

“What Narcan does is restore normal breathing. This reduces the negative effect of an overdose,” Miller said.

Miller praised the county for the move as she said overdoses and fentanyl poisonings are on the rise.

“We see affected children taking or bringing pills to college campuses. Having the drug on school campuses will save lives,” she said.

District leaders stressed that narcan would only be available in emergencies and would be kept by staff.

It will not be distributed to students, Flores said. However, Flores said she hopes the move will spark conversations at home between students, families and others about the dangers of fentanyl.

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“Our message to parents is to educate yourself, learn about it and talk to your loved ones, talk to your family about what this danger is,” she said.

Useful links:

• Centers for Disease Control - Fentanyl Facts.
• California Department of Public Health - Overdose Prevention Initiative.
• Sacramento County Opioid Coalition (SCOC).

Parents/guardians and students can also get Narcan Kits from the following locations:

• Harm Reduction Services 2800 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817 916-456-4849 (maximum two sets per person).
• SANE at 4433 Florin Road Suite 890, Sacramento, CA 916-397-2434.
• Gender Health Center 3823 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 455-2391 or Injury Inquiry at 916-620-1908.
• Sacramento LGBT Community Center, 1015 20th Street, Sacramento, CA 95811 916-442-0185.

"We appreciate your support as we do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of our SCUSD community," the county said in a statement.

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