Pubdate: Fri, 21 Oct 2016
Source: Maple Ridge News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Maple Ridge News
Contact:  http://www.mapleridgenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1328
Author: Neil Corbett

REQUEST FOR NARCAN KITS IN SCHOOLS

The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows school board is petitioning the province
to have Narcan kits in B.C. high schools and middle schools.

Trustee Susan Carr, who also leads the City of Maple Ridge's Strong
Kids team, brought the issue to the board on Wednesday night, and it
was supported by her colleagues.

Narcan, and the drug Naloxone, is used to reverse the effects of
opioids, and is being widely distributed by the province during the
public health emergency created by the drug fentanyl.

The motion will ask the ministers of health, education and children
and families to create provincial standards around training and
administering Naloxone in schools.

Carr likened this measure to doing earthquake drills, and training
staff to use EpiPens.

"It's something we hope we never have to use, but it's there just in
case," she said.

She talked about the accidental use of fentanyl by casual drug users,
who may not be aware that it is mixed in another type of drug.

"Kids thinking they bought one thing, and they got something else,"
she said.

"Do they deserve to die because they made a bad choice? Can we be in
position to support that not happening, as part of our
preparedness."

Trustee Lisa Beare noted the decision would effect older
students.

"This may be a choice they made to come to school under the influence,
but my choice is to make sure that they live, and we don't give up on
them."

Trustee Ken Clarkson said the board's position "fits with society's
changing attitude toward drugs as a health issue."

Superintendent Sylvia Russell noted that an 18-year-old, who was no
longer a student, had died of a drug overdose on the grounds of Golden
Ears elementary. School was not in session at the time.

Trustee Korleen Carreras, a parent of children in the district, noted
that Narcan is used in the rare situation where a simple shot can save
a person's life.

A resident had appealed to the board not to have the overdose antidote
in schools.

Carr's motion passed unanimously.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt