W.Pa. school districts stock opioid overdose antidote Narcan
Someone overdosing on heroin at school may not be on many parents' minds, but more Western Pennsylvania districts are starting to stock an overdose antidote.
For many districts, the “better-safe-than-sorry” mentality has driven them to stock naloxone, also known by its brand name of Narcan. The drug is used to reverse effects of overdoses of heroin and other opioids in a matter of minutes. Many EMTs, hospitals and local and state police carry it. District administrators say it's not only stocked as a precaution for student overdoses, but for adults as well.
“On any given day I've got an awful lot of people on campus,” Plum Borough School District Superintendent Timothy Glasspool said. “The Narcan's not necessarily only for our students — the Narcan would be available for anybody that would need it.”
In March the district stocked four doses of Narcan each at Plum High School and Oblock Junior High School. Plum EMS trained school nurses on how to use the drug, which is administered through the nose.
“This is one of those things that you want to have and hope to never need,” Glasspool said.
Echoing that sentiment, Mt. Lebanon School District's board approved a policy in March that will allow Narcan to be stocked in all 10 of its schools. Superintendent Timothy Steinhauer described the move as a “proactive step.”
Other districts are forming or updating policies to allow for Narcan.
In Westmoreland County, Norwin School District adopted a Narcan policy this year, but does not have it in the schools yet. Yough School District created a policy last year and has Narcan stocked.
Hampton Township School District has included Narcan in its policy on medication administration. Burrell and Leechburg school districts are discussing the need for the drug.
Gateway and Penn Hills school districts decided not to stock the drug because local emergency medical services carry it.
“We considered it,” Penn Hills Superintendent Nancy Hines said. “Given that these medics are close in proximity to our schools, we prefer to rely on them to carry and administer it.”
Gateway officials said that because they are close to two hospitals and the response time is so fast, they did not think it was necessary to stock it.
Allegheny County Health Department Director Karen Hacker likened having Narcan in schools to their stocking other lifesaving measures such as EpiPens for allergic reactions. She said her primary concern would be an adult on school property at risk of overdosing. Allegheny County medical officials reported 246 opioid-related fatalities in Allegheny County in 2015.
State officials also are working to ensure everyone has access to Narcan.
Last fall, state Physician General Rachel Levine signed a standing order that serves as a prescription for all residents to access the drug at pharmacies.
In February, Gov. Tom Wolf said his administration has partnered with the manufacturer Adapt Pharma to increase statewide access to Narcan. Adapt will provide a free carton of Narcan to public schools in Pennsylvania if they want it.
Prevention Point Pittsburgh also advocates for broader availability of Narcan. The nonprofit organization provides safe supplies, counseling and education for people who inject drugs.
“We think that everyone should have access to naloxone, and we think that it should be something that's in everyone's medicine cabinet,” said Sarah Danforth, harm reduction specialist with Prevention Point. “For school nurses to have it, that's great.”
She said she often hears from critics that widespread access to Narcan is enabling drug abusers to keep using the drug, but that's not how she sees it.
“Naloxone is a tool that helps people live long enough to make choices,” Danforth said. “No one can make a choice to change if they're dead.”
Emily Balser is a Tribune-Review staff writer. She can be reached at 412-871-2369 or ebalser@tribweb.com. Staff writers Tony LaRussa, Joe Napsha and Deborah Deasy contributed to this report, along with freelance writer Eric Eisert.
