CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district leaders could take the first step in expanding access to lifesaving care.
Naloxone – which is more commonly referred to as "Narcan" – is a widely used treatment of a drug overdose. The county health department said it’s ready to provide it in every CMS school.
On Tuesday, Dec. 12, school leaders are expected to review a policy that would update what first aid and emergency medical care can be provided to students.
The district said the majority of school resource officers already have access to Narcan. On Tuesday, the board will consider expanding access by allowing nurses to provide the drug to students and staff in an emergency.
"We have seen a rise in Fentanyl overdoses throughout our community and, you know, community issues become school issues. So, we just want to make sure that we’re prepared," District 4 Board Member Stephanie Sneed said. "As with any first reading, the board has not made a final decision, but I’m definitely in support of putting this measure into our schools and equipping our nurses with this.”
Data from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department back in August shows overdose deaths are up 20% in 2023.
That’s in large part due to a rise in fentanyl on the streets.
While it’s unclear if drug overdoses are a common problem at schools, community activists are pushing to keep Mecklenburg County safe.
"In an effort to make Narcan available in schools but also throughout the community free of charge," Freedom Fighting Missionaries Founder Kenny Robinson said. "There are some dangerous pills circulating in the community and we are, in a preventative way, trying to save some lives in the community."
For months, the White House has pushed for school districts to have Narcan on hand.
If this new CMS policy passes, it will be up to the superintendent to come up with regulations surrounding how Narcan can be administered in schools. A first reading of the policy is set to take place at Tuesday's board meeting at 6 p.m. in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center.
Contact Destiny Richards at drichards5@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Contact Kayland Hagwood at khagwood@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.