Last night at the Henderson County Board of Education meeting, an emergency reading of Policy 09.224 - Emergency Medical Treatment, was unanimously approved by board members. This policy will allow for the storage and use of Narcan (naloxone) in school facilities.
Narcan is a potentially life-saving medication designed to help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose in minutes. Naloxone is easy to administer through a nasal spray, with minimal adverse effects even if a person is not overdosing. Click here for information from the CDC.
The Narcan nasal spray will be stored in all AED boxes districtwide. Our school resource officers currently have access to Narcan through their respective law enforcement agencies.
Chief Sean McKinney of the Henderson Police Department addressed the board regarding the high number of recent overdoses and fatalities due to Fentanyl. Additionally, Nicole Frields, the Chief Operating Officer of the WARM Center, talked about the importance of their program at Henderson County High School along with community education and outreach.
“We appreciate the work our local law enforcement agencies do to address the Fentanyl problem in our community. We will continue working with our community partners to educate our students, staff, and families on drug prevention and education,” states Bob Lawson, Superintendent of Henderson County Schools.
Staff will receive online training on how to use Narcan in more detail. Additionally, Henderson County Schools will continue to provide resources and information for students and families through our guidance counselors and Family Resource Youth Services Centers.
For more information, please contact Director of Public Information Megan Mortis at 270.831.5000 or email: megan.mortis@henderson.kyschools.us