The Hopkins County Board of Education has approved making available a drug to prevent opioid overdose in local high schools. Narcan is an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of an overdose for 30 to 90 minutes.
Hopkins County Schools Health Coordinator Sophie French says the increase in opioid usage in major cities is beginning to impact the area and Narcan will serve as a precaution.
“What we see is that usually has a trickle down effect. It starts to you know, move into the rural settings. And so because this is a free program for us to access we’re just having it in preparation,” says French.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kentucky ranks among the worst states in drug overdose deaths, at nearly 25 per 100-thousand residents. The Kentucky Department of Education is working with the Kentucky Harm Coalition to implement a plan to provide Narcan to all Kentucky schools.The Clinton Foundation in partnership with Adapt Pharma are collaborating with state departments of education to issue the counter drug.
