New opioid overdose plan approved unanimously for Wake County Public School System
CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- There's a push to get a life-saving medication in every Wake County school.
Wake County Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve a new Naloxone policy.
Last month, Wake County school board members approved a new policy that requires all county schools to keep a supply of Naloxone - also known by its brand name Narcan - and train faculty members on how to use it.
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Before the vote, school resource officers already carried Narcan, but not every Wake County school has an SRO. The newly approved plan requires at least three staff members at each school to be trained and able to administer the drug in case of an emergency. However, it fell short of requiring Naloxone to be kept on campus.
According to state health data, Naloxone was used for suspected overdoses 21 times on schools' ground statewide in 2023.
"If we have a tool that can save a life, particularly one of our student's lives," Chris Heagarty, Wake County School board chair, said, "we want to do everything we can to take those steps."
WATCH | Wake County school board approves Naloxone policy
Under the new plan, each school principal will designate three or more people on their staff as a part of a medical care program. Those designated people will receive initial training and annual training on how to properly store naloxone, as well as how to administer it.
Each school principal will also need to come up with an emergency action plan for the use of naloxone that complies with all state laws.
"There's definitely been people at my school that do drugs and it would be best if we had something like that on campus. God forbid something happens," Cary High School student Emily Ranft said.
"I personally think it should be available in every school. Just because you never know. Better safe than sorry," Dr. Collin Welteroth said.
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This policy is personal for some Wake County mothers.
Barb Walsh, back in December, urged the school board to consider requiring Naloxone be put in schools countywide.
Walsh's daughter Sophia, died nearly three years ago from fentanyl poisoning. She was drinking from a water bottle that had the dangerous opioid mixed into it.
She made it her mission to not only support families like hers but also promote the life-saving medicine Naloxone.
"It doesn't take an army. It doesn't take a lobbyist," Walsh said to ABC11 in April. "It takes a mom who's lost a child to stand in front of the school board to make this happen. And that's significant."
Tuesday's Wake County school board meeting starts at 1 p.m.
