CHARLOTTE, N.C. — "They’re getting more addicted to fentanyl," CMS mom Tamika Johnson said. "It's running rampant in our streets with our children with our adults and you don’t know what you’re getting in the streets."
Johnson said more fentanyl is out in the streets and it's only time before it's found in the hands of our kids.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. Law enforcement agencies say it’s being mixed into the drug supply as a cheap, but deadly additive.
It’s a problem that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is working to get ahead of with the goal of approving the opioid overdose treatment Narcan in all schools next month.
"It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it," CMS Board of Education member Charles Jeter said. "We have had overdoses across the country at some point it going to happen and we need to be prepared."
The district held the first reading on Tuesday, notifying the public that the board is contemplating a policy change with first aid.
"The next meeting, which is January 9, the board will hold a public hearing, so the public can come and tell us what they think about the policy," Jeter said.
Jeter said the third meeting will be Jan. 23rd and the board will vote on adopting the modifications to the policy.
The Biden Administration has also been encouraging to expand Narcan in all schools to get ahead of the overdose epidemic.
CMS leaders say that once approved in January, the policy would go into effect immediately.
"We need to be prepared making sure kids are safe and educated is our top priority around here," Jeter said.
Parents like Johnson say it’s a big step in the right direction
"Our children are our future," Johnson said.
Contact Tradesha Woodard at twoodard1@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.