WS/FCS approves policy to allow overdose antidote Naloxone in schools

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education approved a policy Tuesday night that would allow Naloxone, also known as Narcan, to be available in every school in the district.

Annie Vasquez, a substance use health educator for Forsyth County and parent of students in the district, spoke in support of the policy at the Tuesday meeting. 

“Having Narcan just prepares each school," Vasquez said. "We know right now, the EMS time is seven minutes out from the time you call 911. Seven minutes is a whole life if you have someone that is overdosing.”

The local health department will supply schools with the drug and provide staff with annual training on how to use it. Prior to this policy, school employees could not administer Narcan in the case of an overdose.

According to county-wide data, there were 461 overdoses in the first three months of the year. Children under the age of 18 accounted for 22 of them.

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.