Overdose deaths related to drugs laced with other substances, in particular fentanyl, have significantly increased, according to a public health advisory warning from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).
DHS data reveals that fentanyl contributed to 91 percent of the opioid overdose deaths in Wisconsin and 73 percent of overdose deaths overall last year.
Because of rising overdose concerns, DHS has received an influx of questions from school districts about stocking opioid antagonists, like Narcan/naloxone, in schools.
The important takeaway is that the school medication statute does not specifically state anything about the stocking of naloxone in schools. Therefore, schools are not required to do so.
Read the story from the DPI School Nurse Update here, under “Practice Points.” The DPI also has a FAQ on Opioid Antagonist Medication Administration.
It’s important that private schools contact their own legal counsel about the decision to stock drugs and related policies or procedures.
