The Board of Education (the “Board”) recognizes that many factors, including the use and misuse of prescription painkillers, can lead to the dependence on and addiction to opiates, and that such dependence and addiction can lead to overdose and death among the general public, including district students and staff. The Board wishes to minimize these deaths by the use of opioid overdose prevention measures and encourages staff, especially coaches of athletic teams, to receive the appropriate training in the administration of intranasal naloxone.

Due to the nationwide increase in the number of opioid overdoses, New York State has issued a law encouraging and allowing school districts to keep Naloxone (NARCAN) on hand for emergency use. The Board approves a program for the use of opioid antagonists on students or staff suspected of having opioid overdose, whether or not there is a previous history of opioid abuse. Opioid antagonists will be limited to naloxone and other medications approved by the Department of Health for such purposes.

The Board directs the school physician to issue a non-patient specific standing order for RN’s to administer intranasal naloxone (also known as NARCAN, among other names). The non-patient specific order will include a written protocol containing the elements required by the regulations of the Commissioner of Education. A copy of this standing order and the NARCAN “kits” will be kept in each health office in the District.

Naloxone will be accessible in the Nurse’s office during school hours and during on-site school-sponsored activities. Naloxone should also be included in First Aid kits used by school interscholastic athletic teams. The Board permits school nurses and those individuals who have received the appropriate training to administer intranasal naloxone to any person displaying symptoms of an opioid overdose at school or a school event whether on or off premises.

Use of an opioid antagonist pursuant to this policy/regulation and the provisions of Public Health Law section 3309 is considered first aid or emergency treatment for the purpose of any statute relating to liability. Provided that the administration of the opioid antagonist is based on a reasonable and good faith belief in compliance with the provisions of Public Health Law section 3309, such District employee will not be subject to criminal, civil or administrative liability solely by reason of such action.

Those trained as volunteer responders in the administering of naloxone will be required to review training every other year.

This policy, regulation, and any related procedures will be reviewed annually by the District’s lead nurse to ensure they continue to meet the needs of the District and are consistent with recommended best practice.