CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will soon expand access to a life-saving medication used in case of a drug overdose emergency.
According to the NCDHHS, heroin and/or fentanyl overdoses in people younger than age 25 are the most concerning trend in Mecklenburg County.
CMS parent Ashley Wiley said she knows of at least two kids who were impacted by drugs.
"Unfortunately, we have to have it in our schools, but I'm glad that we do," Wiley said. "It was just a really sad event and if we could potentially save someone’s child then why not."
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education met Tuesday, Jan. 23 to discuss an emergency response protocol to help save young lives.
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The protocol lays out exactly how naloxone, or Narcan, would be used in schools.
- If a student is experiencing an overdose, first responders will be called, bringing with them an emergency kit with an AED and naloxone.
- The school will call 911 first, then notify the student’s parent or guardian.
- First responders will assess the situation and use naloxone if needed.
- Lastly, the time of use needs to be documented.
District leaders have been in support of the implementation of naloxone in schools every step of the way.
Earlier this month, CMS approved officially adding the medication to the district’s policy.
"I’m definitely in support of putting this into our schools and equipping our nurses with this," Stephanie Sneed, District 4 board member, said.
Across the country, nearly 645,000 died from an overdose involving opioids from 1999 - 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While many school resource officers already have access to Narcan, including at CMS, South Carolina allows school nurses to also carry the product at participating schools.
On Monday night, the Chester County School Board considered expanding access to the product on its school campuses.
After months of discussion, CMS is now set to finalize its plans to do the same.
You can see the presentation with all of the details in the CMS school board agenda for Tuesday, Jan. 23.
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