107,081. The number of people that died in the United States from drug overdose. Two thirds of those deaths were directly related to illicitly manufactured fentanyl (Center for Disease and Prevention). Fentanyl has been a growing problem in the US, especially in High Schools around the nation. We wanted to talk to faculty at Palisade High School to see if they feel prepared for the worst case scenario amidst this global crisis.
I began by asking our Principal, Mr. Bollinger, if he felt that our school was ready for this massive problem. He told me, “I think we are as prepared as we can be, I mean I can’t promise anything. We do have some of the Narcan and hopefully we can distribute it in time and hopefully 911 can get here in time.” However, because there are so many variables to this process, Mr. Bollinger says, “I’m not sure I’d be sharing anything with anybody.”
Mr. Bollinger mentioned Narcan in the schools, so we wanted to investigate that further. Narcan is a portable use nasal spray that contains naloxone, which reverses the effects of opiates on the brain and allows for breathing to be restored. It is a legitimate lifesaver when it comes to Fentanyl. I spoke to the Palisade’s nurse Mrs. Fredrick, who gave me the entire run down on Narcan in Palisade. “As the school nurse, I put a Narcan with the D51 protocol of when to use it together, both the ADD’s have it, we’ve got it in our go-bag from the health office, counseling has a go-bag with one in it, the library, and then the gym where the PE coaches are.” When I asked Mrs. Fredrick if we should be worried about fentanyl in our schools she replied, “I think yes, we have definitely had schools in the district that have used it.” She added by saying, “[The Narcan] is as much for visitors of the school as it is for students.” She then brought out the tester to show me how it is administered. The process is extremely simple, it’s the same premise as an allergen decongestant, where you put it up the nose and then just one push of the button on the bottom of the Narcan releases the naloxone into the body. After administering, you should immediately call 911.
Everyday we continue to hear horror stories of fentanyl and teenagers, and while hopefully these stories ward people off from trying any suspicious drugs, we understand a lot of these overdoses are from everyday “prescription pills” which can look extremely real. So while the school taking action is extremely important, the best way to defend yourself from this crisis is simply to educate yourself on these problems. As a community we must be careful and stay vigilant. And don’t be afraid to reach out to your community, whether that’s your family, your friends, or even your school, we are all in this together.
