I quit teaching in 2020 but it was mainly weed at that time. That’s horrible that it’s so prevalent now. The school I went to in high school was way more into pills and I could see this being an issue there for sure.
Teachers carrying and administering Narcan in our current political climate and especially with how reactive so many parents are seems like a tricky thing to navigate.
I get this…:but, if the choice is have teachers administer narcan or their child dies…surely this would be an easy choice?
Teachers carrying and administering Narcan in our current political climate and especially with how reactive so many parents are seems like a tricky thing to navigate.
I get this…:but, if the choice is have teachers administer narcan or their child dies…surely this would be an easy choice?
Narcan will have zero negative side effects if the person is not overdosing on opiates. Maybe a slight runny nose similar to using saline nasal drops. That’s it. I’ve used it on patients and it truly is a miracle. The patient was overdosing and blue and after two doses she took a breath and looked right at me and said my name. I will never forget it and urge anyone to obtain Narcan.
I get this…:but, if the choice is have teachers administer narcan or their child dies…surely this would be an easy choice?
Narcan will have zero negative side effects if the person is not overdosing on opiates. Maybe a slight runny nose similar to using saline nasal drops. That’s it. I’ve used it on patients and it truly is a miracle. The patient was overdosing and blue and after two doses she took a breath and looked right at me and said my name. I will never forget it and urge anyone to obtain Narcan.
Exactly. Why would any sane person object to having narcan widely available? Everyone thinks it won’t be their kid who ODs, but the reality is that it could be any kid, and narcan can save lives. Who would want to risk their own kid’s life by objecting to having narcan available? Or ANY kid’s life?
Narcan will have zero negative side effects if the person is not overdosing on opiates. Maybe a slight runny nose similar to using saline nasal drops. That’s it. I’ve used it on patients and it truly is a miracle. The patient was overdosing and blue and after two doses she took a breath and looked right at me and said my name. I will never forget it and urge anyone to obtain Narcan.
Exactly. Why would any sane person object to having narcan widely available? Everyone thinks it won’t be their kid who ODs, but the reality is that it could be any kid, and narcan can save lives. Who would want to risk their own kid’s life by objecting to having narcan available? Or ANY kid’s life?
Because they think the kind of kids that do drugs deserve to die. Or at least they don’t care if they die. Because they only believe stereotypes and don’t realize the that there is no set “kind” of person who uses drugs. But I can bet they wouldn’t be putting up a fuss after the fact if it was their kid who was OD’ing.
Teachers carrying and administering Narcan in our current political climate and especially with how reactive so many parents are seems like a tricky thing to navigate.
I get this…:but, if the choice is have teachers administer narcan or their child dies…surely this would be an easy choice?
Some people think having people with Narcan on hand encourages people to do drugs. Just like some people think having access to abortion or birth control encourages premarital sex or the existence of welfare and unemployment benefits encourage people not to work.
People are against doing things in even their own best interest and against all logic all the time. Look at masking and Covid. The state of our politics. Global warming.
Narcan will have zero negative side effects if the person is not overdosing on opiates. Maybe a slight runny nose similar to using saline nasal drops. That’s it. I’ve used it on patients and it truly is a miracle. The patient was overdosing and blue and after two doses she took a breath and looked right at me and said my name. I will never forget it and urge anyone to obtain Narcan.
Exactly. Why would any sane person object to having narcan widely available? Everyone thinks it won’t be their kid who ODs, but the reality is that it could be any kid, and narcan can save lives. Who would want to risk their own kid’s life by objecting to having narcan available? Or ANY kid’s life?
I mean, these people were screaming about how kids can’t breathe in masks, teachers should be trained to use and carry guns, and we should ban books about food and recess.
Most teachers do things in the best interest of the kids, but that hasn’t stopped administrators from siding with the school board and parents and disciplining them for asinine and ridiculous things.
Just an FYI, fentanyl can be in vapes too, so don’t just warn about pills.
An 8th grader OD’d last year after buying what he thought was a weed vape from some guy on SnapChat. He was in a coma for a few days before he passed. If we didn’t live in the neighborhood we would never have known (FB group). DD was at the same bus stop as him, but they never talked. School didn’t send out anything nor was it in the news. We have a community church in our neighborhood that put on an informative “town hall” for parents and kids (with the family’s support) about the dangers.
The whole thing is terrifying and heartbreaking and I don’t understand why schools aren’t being louder. I understand the protection of the students and the families privacy, but rumors are going to spread amongst the kids anyway. At least give out some facts.
I get this…:but, if the choice is have teachers administer narcan or their child dies…surely this would be an easy choice?
Some people think having people with Narcan on hand encourages people to do drugs. Just like some people think having access to abortion or birth control encourages premarital sex or the existence of welfare and unemployment benefits encourage people not to work.
People are against doing things in even their own best interest and against all logic all the time. Look at masking and Covid. The state of our politics. Global warming.
The same parents want teachers to be armed in the classroom. There is no logic.
A student OD'd at DD's high school a few years ago (DD was in middle school at the time so guess this was 4-5 years ago) and just this year a student OD'd at our neighboring public high school. Similar to savan we have frequent conversations with our teens about not taking ANY pill, powder, etc. from anyone. No matter how trusted the person is that offers it to them.
Our state laws pretty clearly lay out who can administer "opioid reversal medication". Following that, our schools have narcan or similar on campus, and it can be administered by either the nurse or a "school personnel who is a designated trained responders". In addition any individual who has been personally prescribed narcan is allowed to carry and administer it if they have previously shown proof of training.
I'm shocked! Can I ask what state. I'm in Maryland and it's available to anyone without a prescription. Anyone can administer it. In fact, the makers of the various brands have made them pretty damn easy to use for that reason
A student OD'd at DD's high school a few years ago (DD was in middle school at the time so guess this was 4-5 years ago) and just this year a student OD'd at our neighboring public high school. Similar to savan we have frequent conversations with our teens about not taking ANY pill, powder, etc. from anyone. No matter how trusted the person is that offers it to them.
Our state laws pretty clearly lay out who can administer "opioid reversal medication". Following that, our schools have narcan or similar on campus, and it can be administered by either the nurse or a "school personnel who is a designated trained responders". In addition any individual who has been personally prescribed narcan is allowed to carry and administer it if they have previously shown proof of training.
I'm shocked! Can I ask what state. I'm in Maryland and it's available to anyone without a prescription. Anyone can administer it. In fact, the makers of the various brands have made them pretty damn easy to use for that reason
PA, too. I just looked it up. Thinking about adding some to my first aid kit at the brewery where I tend bar. The area we live in has been hit hard by it.
Exactly. Why would any sane person object to having narcan widely available? Everyone thinks it won’t be their kid who ODs, but the reality is that it could be any kid, and narcan can save lives. Who would want to risk their own kid’s life by objecting to having narcan available? Or ANY kid’s life?
I mean, these people were screaming about how kids can’t breathe in masks, teachers should be trained to use and carry guns, and we should ban books about food and recess.
Most teachers do things in the best interest of the kids, but that hasn’t stopped administrators from siding with the school board and parents and disciplining them for asinine and ridiculous things.
I’d rather be disciplined for carrying and administering unauthorized narcan than watch a kid die. And that’s what unions are *supposed* to be for.
A student OD'd at DD's high school a few years ago (DD was in middle school at the time so guess this was 4-5 years ago) and just this year a student OD'd at our neighboring public high school. Similar to savan we have frequent conversations with our teens about not taking ANY pill, powder, etc. from anyone. No matter how trusted the person is that offers it to them.
Our state laws pretty clearly lay out who can administer "opioid reversal medication". Following that, our schools have narcan or similar on campus, and it can be administered by either the nurse or a "school personnel who is a designated trained responders". In addition any individual who has been personally prescribed narcan is allowed to carry and administer it if they have previously shown proof of training.
I'm shocked! Can I ask what state. I'm in Maryland and it's available to anyone without a prescription. Anyone can administer it. In fact, the makers of the various brands have made them pretty damn easy to use for that reason
I'm shocked! Can I ask what state. I'm in Maryland and it's available to anyone without a prescription. Anyone can administer it. In fact, the makers of the various brands have made them pretty damn easy to use for that reason
"... or other person or entity in a position to assist a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose." this pretty much covers anyone. It's pretty much "If you're there and can do it, do it."
"... or other person or entity in a position to assist a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose." this pretty much covers anyone. It's pretty much "If you're there and can do it, do it."
Right, but I was thinking the section above that (1a) was saying a practitioner had to prescribe it to that "other person or entity".
Knowing our legislature I do think the intent here is to have it widely and easily available, but the legalese confused me (which is why I stick to numbers in my job 🙂)
I mean, these people were screaming about how kids can’t breathe in masks, teachers should be trained to use and carry guns, and we should ban books about food and recess.
Most teachers do things in the best interest of the kids, but that hasn’t stopped administrators from siding with the school board and parents and disciplining them for asinine and ridiculous things.
I’d rather be disciplined for carrying and administering unauthorized narcan than watch a kid die. And that’s what unions are *supposed* to be for.
Ok come on. This kind of stuff is aggravating. Of course teachers don’t want kids to die.
Exactly. Why would any sane person object to having narcan widely available? Everyone thinks it won’t be their kid who ODs, but the reality is that it could be any kid, and narcan can save lives. Who would want to risk their own kid’s life by objecting to having narcan available? Or ANY kid’s life?
I mean, these people were screaming about how kids can’t breathe in masks, teachers should be trained to use and carry guns, and we should ban books about food and recess.
Most teachers do things in the best interest of the kids, but that hasn’t stopped administrators from siding with the school board and parents and disciplining them for asinine and ridiculous things.
Here I would say there is 100% a push for teachers. I am guessing it is why the county took less than week to set up a training. The school board is also holding a special session. I am sure there is some push back but from what I can tell the majority wants teachers to be prepared. The push back I hear is from whether students should be allowed to carry it (folks think it is too big of a responsibility to put on kids)
I mean, these people were screaming about how kids can’t breathe in masks, teachers should be trained to use and carry guns, and we should ban books about food and recess.
Most teachers do things in the best interest of the kids, but that hasn’t stopped administrators from siding with the school board and parents and disciplining them for asinine and ridiculous things.
Here I would say there is 100% a push for teachers. I am guessing it is why the county took less than week to set up a training. The school board is also holding a special session. I am sure there is some push back but from what I can tell the majority wants teachers to be prepared. The push back I hear is from whether students should be allowed to carry it (folks think it is too big of a responsibility to put on kids)
I would assume that a student carrying it knows and understands the responsibility and is willing bear that responsibility and administer it if needed. A student isn’t going to carry it for shits and giggles. If a high school student wants to carry it, I don’t see an issue. I personally wouldn’t want my own kid carrying it because it is too much responsibility for him but other kids can handle it so let them.
Teachers of middle school and high school should definitely be allowed to carry narcan. Training would be simple, just like the epi pen training we do every year. Go over the signs, explain how to admin. See the nurse if you want more info. Is the district planning on providing narcan to teachers who want to carry it or just giving teachers the okay to carry narcan they have purchased themselves.
I mean, these people were screaming about how kids can’t breathe in masks, teachers should be trained to use and carry guns, and we should ban books about food and recess.
Most teachers do things in the best interest of the kids, but that hasn’t stopped administrators from siding with the school board and parents and disciplining them for asinine and ridiculous things.
Here I would say there is 100% a push for teachers. I am guessing it is why the county took less than week to set up a training. The school board is also holding a special session. I am sure there is some push back but from what I can tell the majority wants teachers to be prepared. The push back I hear is from whether students should be allowed to carry it (folks think it is too big of a responsibility to put on kids)
I have no doubt that teachers are willing to do this, but EVERYONE has to be ok with it, including parents signing something that absolves teachers should they have to use it. And administrators HAVE to support teachers should they have to use it. And the district has to be willing to train teachers appropriately, including appropriate compensation for that training.
We should also, as a community, fund our school nurses and school health professionals, so we are starting to treat the actual issues instead of the symptoms. That includes education in elementary, long before high school. That means we have to funnel more money into schools.
I'm getting defensive here, because teachers should not have to shoulder the burden of all of society's problems, be punished for doing the right thing, and also be expected to just do things because otherwise kids die.
Post by mysteriouswife on Feb 7, 2023 7:53:00 GMT -5
Someone asked why parents would object. It’s the same mindset humans have against sex ed. if it’s not talked about or available then kids won’t do it. Their belief Narcan will make kids think drugs are okay. Just like the one gay teacher will change a whole school LGBTQ+. We live in a land of idiots and illogical humans.
Here I would say there is 100% a push for teachers. I am guessing it is why the county took less than week to set up a training. The school board is also holding a special session. I am sure there is some push back but from what I can tell the majority wants teachers to be prepared. The push back I hear is from whether students should be allowed to carry it (folks think it is too big of a responsibility to put on kids)
I have no doubt that teachers are willing to do this, but EVERYONE has to be ok with it, including parents signing something that absolves teachers should they have to use it. And administrators HAVE to support teachers should they have to use it. And the district has to be willing to train teachers appropriately, including appropriate compensation for that training.
We should also, as a community, fund our school nurses and school health professionals, so we are starting to treat the actual issues instead of the symptoms. That includes education in elementary, long before high school. That means we have to funnel more money into schools.
I'm getting defensive here, because teachers should not have to shoulder the burden of all of society's problems, be punished for doing the right thing, and also be expected to just do things because otherwise kids die.
Yes! 100%
This responsibility creep is one reason why many teachers are leaving teaching. The level of blame, responsibility, and increased dependence on teachers/schools to provide medical care and social services while not being supported by school admin and in direct opposition of many parents unhinged demands is exhausting and unsustainable.
There is a similar situation at public libraries where librarians are being pushed to administer Narcan, provide Covid tests, many libraries were a Covid vaccine center despite librarians not being “essential workers”, provide social work and tax help, be a community center in the absence of actual community centers, etc while under attack for providing books and hosting story time.
We can’t rely on these places so heavily and then allow nut jobs to make demands that aren’t reasonable or rooted in any actual reality and take them seriously.
Beyond school nurses and health professionals there, there needs to be actual community health access outside of the schools. That’s been gutted but the need didn’t go away.
So yeah, these places will step up because they don’t want people to die but they shouldn’t be the “solution” to societies problems nor should they be burdened with the threat of losing their livelihood if they provide these services or make decisions based in reality that some vocal minority is denying.
Here I would say there is 100% a push for teachers. I am guessing it is why the county took less than week to set up a training. The school board is also holding a special session. I am sure there is some push back but from what I can tell the majority wants teachers to be prepared. The push back I hear is from whether students should be allowed to carry it (folks think it is too big of a responsibility to put on kids)
I have no doubt that teachers are willing to do this, but EVERYONE has to be ok with it, including parents signing something that absolves teachers should they have to use it. And administrators HAVE to support teachers should they have to use it. And the district has to be willing to train teachers appropriately, including appropriate compensation for that training.
We should also, as a community, fund our school nurses and school health professionals, so we are starting to treat the actual issues instead of the symptoms. That includes education in elementary, long before high school. That means we have to funnel more money into schools.
I'm getting defensive here, because teachers should not have to shoulder the burden of all of society's problems, be punished for doing the right thing, and also be expected to just do things because otherwise kids die.
Oh I completely get what you are saying. I didn't' mean to come off as saying teachers have to do this or kids will die. Ju Our district is offering training to teachers , but in my mind, I assumed it was similar to how teachers here receive CPR first aide training. So far our school board, district and administration is supportive of the training since they are providing it (but obviously I am not staff so I don't know all the ins and outs). The county is also offering free training to the community.
We also currently have education in ES and MS but I am sure it could be stronger. Although it seems like anti-drug campaigns don't really do much. I 100% agree that we need to treat actual issues (which for a lot of kids is likely untreated mental health issues that they are attempting to self-medicate). I have zero hope that will change or improve.
ETA: And I live in a liberal county with free clinics and public health fairs and all this. But still mental health care is so hard to find.
I'm shocked! Can I ask what state. I'm in Maryland and it's available to anyone without a prescription. Anyone can administer it. In fact, the makers of the various brands have made them pretty damn easy to use for that reason
The whole thing is terrifying and heartbreaking and I don’t understand why schools aren’t being louder. I understand the protection of the students and the families privacy, but rumors are going to spread amongst the kids anyway. At least give out some facts.
I find that some schools, particularly the "good" schools are REALLY good at keeping the negative press coverage to a minimum.
In the past few years, there have been some feature articles about our neighborhood schools that don't reflect well on them. The text of the article will reference the same issues at the "good" schools, but they are never the ones that make the headlines. I don't think it's a coincidence that these schools where trouble is covered up tend to have kids who are way more privileged. I don't think it's doing those privileged kids a favor.
The whole thing is terrifying and heartbreaking and I don’t understand why schools aren’t being louder. I understand the protection of the students and the families privacy, but rumors are going to spread amongst the kids anyway. At least give out some facts.
I find that some schools, particularly the "good" schools are REALLY good at keeping the negative press coverage to a minimum.
In the past few years, there have been some feature articles about our neighborhood schools that don't reflect well on them. The text of the article will reference the same issues at the "good" schools, but they are never the ones that make the headlines. I don't think it's a coincidence that these schools where trouble is covered up tend to have kids who are way more privileged. I don't think it's doing those privileged kids a favor.
One bajillion percent this. Schools are VERY good at keeping secrets and so are parents.
The whole thing is terrifying and heartbreaking and I don’t understand why schools aren’t being louder. I understand the protection of the students and the families privacy, but rumors are going to spread amongst the kids anyway. At least give out some facts.
Do you mean give out facts about a student who has OD'd? Or facts about opioid use within schools? Our district has a mandatory drug prevention education in 7th and 9th grade, with a lot of information on opioids and overdose in general. And the schools have hosted numerous Drug Education Nights for parents (we went to one at our middle school in 2019). But I absolutely think there should be more information about the prevalence and dangers of drugs in our specific schools - let families know it is happening and it is happening HERE at our school. I think many parents think kids don't have time/opportunity to do drugs at schools because of the staff being around, but kids find a way around that and schools can't provide a full time monitor for every bathroom or back hallway (I know our kids have told us about people smoking weed in both their high school and middle school bathrooms).
But unless the overdose happened on school grounds I wouldn't expect them to provide any facts about a student who has overdosed. And even if it happened on campus I think they'd have to be VERY careful the information they release. Unless/until the parents/family gives permission to do so.
Our neighboring high school (our zoned middle school splits into two high schools) had a student die of an overdose last fall (he died at home). The parents did write something up for the school to release, and then ultimately talked to the media so the story could be told.
Last week was a rough week in my area. Four kids OD'd and one unfortunately passed away. The OD happened at the local HS. The next day EMS was called to the school for a suspected OD and again today (I don't know the outcome of these situations and the news only came from police scanners so unclear what the real situation is). From what I heard other schools in the area are experiencing similar situations, but it doesn't make the news (for whatever reason).
But i was listening to teachers talk about how they panic when kids fall asleep in their classroom now because they don't' know if they are sleeping or on something. Currently teachers aren't allowed to carry Narcan (it is in the clinic only) but they are trying to change that.
Are folks seeing similar stuff in their area?
This is my nephews high school. The OD's happened in a bathroom and the boy was on life support and passed away. The police were called a day or two later because of a report of an armed intruder on campus and they had to be on lockdown for the entire afternoon. They had Friday off of school, with counselors available to anyone who wanted to come to school to talk. It has been a horrible week for that school community.
Post by karinothing on Feb 7, 2023 14:24:21 GMT -5
frlcb, yeah my kids will be going there in a few years. It was horrible
InBetweenDays, I think schools should be required to list drug offenses on campus. They don't need names or anything but I think we could get raw numbers. How many kids are showing up high/drunk, how many require medical attention, and how many times do we confiscate drugs or paraphernalia. That kind of thing. OR maybe I don'twant to know