Governor Wolf and the Pennsylvania Departments of Education, Health, State and Drug and Alcohol Programs recently announced a state partnership with Adapt Pharma to provide free Naloxone (also known as Narcan) to all Pennsylvania public high schools.
Naloxone is a medication indicated for reversal of opioid overdose, which includes overdoses in illegal drugs like heroin, or prescription pain medications such as morphine, codeine, methadone, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl and hydromorphone. Deaths from prescription painkillers have reached epidemic levels in the past decade according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), with one in four teens reporting abusing or misusing a prescription drug at least once in their lifetime, and one in six doing so in the last year. In 2014, the CDC added opioid overdose prevention to its list of the top five public health challenges.
In response to this epidemic, Gov. Wolf and the above Departments are encouraging Pennsylvania school districts to consider adopting policies allowing for the stocking and proper administration of Naloxone in their high schools and, potentially, additional locations. Naloxone is easy to administer and can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose with little to no side effects on non-opioid users, potentially saving a student\u2019s life. Last year, Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine issued a standing order for Naloxone allowing all eligible Pennsylvanians to acquire and administer Naloxone in an overdose emergency.
In order to participate in the free Naloxone distribution program with Adapt Pharma, the school district must provide the following:
- Adoption of a board policy specifically regarding the administration of Naloxone;
- A standing order from the school physician;
- Proof that school nurses have completed the Pennsylvania Department of Health approved training; and
- A completed application submitted by the school entity.
Through this program, districts will also have access to educational materials and training developed by the National Association of School Nurses.
According to the PSBA, research on Naloxone and its use appears to indicate that stocking and using it in accordance with proper procedures and training should present a low risk of harm or liability. Research has shown that:
- Naloxone has been used safely by health care professionals for over 40 years.
- While the administration of Naloxone for a person overdosing may cause a very unpleasant physical experience, serious side effects are very rare and would have virtually no effect at all if administered to someone not using opioids.
- Naloxone has no known potential for abuse.
- Although the possibility for an allergic reaction has not been ruled out, no reports have been made of actual cases of such a reaction to Naloxone.
Many districts already equip school nurses and other trained personnel with this life-saving medication. We encourage school districts to consult with their medical advisors, school nurses and solicitors to develop relevant policies, determine whether Naloxone should be stocked in middle schools as well as high schools, other school facilities and what would be a sufficient supply to ensure that after use the supply could be timely restocked.
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