The sudden rise of fentanyl and other opioids has quickly become a national anxiety. In the past year, the NIH identified that over nine million Americans ages 12 or older are abusing opioids and that 75 percent of total overdose deaths are caused by opioids. In MCPS, data collected from 2021-2022 identified a 120 percent increase in fatal overdoses with nonfatal overdoses also increasing by 68 percent. Worried parents and students often ask: How is MCPS helping its students? More specifically, how is WCHS addressing this issue?
Concerned community members do not need to look far for answers. MCPS schools have free Naloxone (Narcan), a narcotic that reverses the effects of opioid overdoses, as well as available training for any student or teacher interested in certification. WCHS’ security, admin and health room were all trained by MCPS to administer Narcan if the need arises. Among the staff who are certified is WCHS Athletic Trainer Kinsey Gunn.
“Narcan training is a part of my CPR first aid training and since it is open prescription, anybody can have access to it, it is very user-friendly,” Gunn said. “I have carried [Narcan] for the past four years, since 2021.”
Training is free and registration is open every month. Certified people must renew their certification once a year with another training course.
“MCPS has free virtual training [through the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services] which happens once a month,” Gunn said.
Staff members, including Gunn, have been trained to recognize the warning signs of an overdose. The Maryland Department of Health and Human Services has identified symptoms such as unresponsiveness, shallow breaths or no breathing, pinpoint (small) pupils and gurgling as immediate signs that Narcan should be administered. It is recommended to administer one full spray into the nostril to wake someone up.
“I would use [Narcan] in situations where [I] think someone is having an overdose of a non-narcotic (opioid). That would be if somebody was passed out, their lips are blue or there is another reason to suspect they are having an episode where drugs are involved,” Gunn said. “If you suspect somebody is having an overdose, it is going to save their life, and since there are no adverse effects, better safe than sorry.”
WCHS has a hefty stock of Narcan, so accessibility should not be a problem for any student in need. The emergency stock of Nasal Spray is stored in the Health Room at WCHS, according to the MCPS Standing Order for Narcan Administration. During the school day, the nurse has access to it, and during after-school hours, Gunn would be the person in charge.
“I, fortunately, have not had to use Narcan,” Gunn said. “I have seen it administered but not in a school setting. I know that’s not the same for other high schools but here, at least in athletics, I have not had to use it.”
