District bldgs to be equipped with Narcan

The Board of Education recently fast-tracked a change to its policy dealing with life-threatening conditions that now allows school nurses to administer anti-opiate drugs to children and adults who may be experiencing an overdose.

The modifications to the policy now covers the administration of an opioid-antagonist commonly known as Narcan on school grounds. The drug, which immediately negates the effects of an overdose caused by opiate-based drugs like heroin, can only be administered by trained staff members. All of the district’s nurses have been trained, as have some teachers and other staff members.

Narcan has become increasingly common in the last few years as heroin has become a larger problem on Long Island. Police officers and EMTs are all trained in its administration, and the county hosts training programs for civilians as well. Rockville Centre hosted just such a training seminar in November.

The drug works by immediately canceling the effects of an opiate overdose. It can keep the overdosing person stable long enough for them to be taken to a hospital for more serious medical treatment.

The Board of Education fast-tracked the policy changes so that Tara Algerio-Vento, the district’s health professional, could file the application to make the district an official Opioid Overdose Prevention Program, which will allow it to house Narcan.

According to Dr. Noreen Leahy, the district’s assistant superintendent of pupil personnel services and special education, only school nurses were allowed to administer Narcan until recently. With new laws in place, anyone who is trained in the administration of the drug (which is done nasally), can use it in the building.

“We always err on the side of caution and do what we can to prevent tragedy from occurring,” Algerio-Vento said. “Once we get approved, [the sate] will supply us. We will then receive kits throughout the district.”