Dear Parents,
Fentanyl-related legislation was passed during the 88th Texas Legislature to raise awareness of fentanyl poisonings and to promote prevention efforts. Specifically, students and families need to know that other drugs may contain a deadly level of fentanyl. You cannot see, taste, or smell it. It is almost impossible to tell if another drug is laced with fentanyl unless tested with a fentanyl testing strip.
SB 629 adds new requirements for school districts related to opioid antagonists on school campuses. The Texas Education Code has added a new requirement that each school district is to adopt and implement a policy at each school campus in the district before January 1, 2024. Additionally, SB 629 permits open-enrollment charter schools and private schools to adopt and implement such a policy.
Southwest Preparatory School Board adopted a policy on Naloxone/Narcan administration which permits designated staff to administer Narcan to a student who appears to be suffering from an opioid-related drug overdose. These staff members will receive training to include the following:
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Recognize a suspected opioid overdose
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Respond – call 911
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Reverse the overdose by administering Narcan nasal spray. Monitor breathing.
- Refer – have the individual transported to the nearest medical facility, while at the same time, notifying the parent/guardian
All Southwest Preparatory School campuses will maintain a stock of Narcan to be used in emergency situations. Naloxone (Narcan) is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is a life-saving drug that when sprayed into the nose, quickly reverses the powerful effects of opioids during a drug overdose.
Everyone who overdoses with opioids, whether with a prescribed medicine or an illicit drug, can use naloxone. Examples of opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine. “Without the administration of naloxone, there is a high risk of fatality from an opioid overdose.”
Naloxone (Narcan) will not harm someone who does not have opioids in their system.
If someone is having a medical emergency other than an opioid overdose, such as a diabetic coma or cardiac arrest, giving them naloxone will generally not have any effect or cause them additional harm.
If you do not want Narcan administered to your student, because of an allergy or other reason, the policy requires that the parent/guardian opt-out. This means that you must submit a statement in writing, indicating that you do not want your student to receive Narcan in an emergency of suspected Opioid overdose.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Christinn Jean, Superintendent, Southwest Preparatory School District