State providing Oregon schools with free opioid overdose kits
By Joe Hathaway on Wednesday, December 6th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
SALEM — In response to the escalating opioid overdose crisis, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has announced plans to offer free opioid overdose reversal kits to schools throughout the state.
All middle schools and high schools in the state are eligible to receive up to three kits, which include a wall mounted naloxone box, instructions, emergency medical supplies and eight doses of naloxone nasal spray — a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose by restoring breathing while waiting for emergency services to arrive.
The intent is to help school districts increase access to overdose reversal kits within their schools for use in the event of an opioid overdose emergency at or near a school campus.
As of Tuesday, December 5, 505 schools, colleges, and universities have requested the overdose reversal kits, OHA said.
“The opioid epidemic and overdose crisis impacts every community in Oregon. While overdose events on school property are rare, our school communities should be prepared to respond to an overdose medical emergency,” said Ebony Clarke, OHA’s director of behavioral health.
Eligible schools must serve students seventh grade or higher. The program is open to all public, private, charter schools, colleges and universities or tribal communities located in Oregon.
Lindsey Bennington-McDowell of the Baker School District says the district coordinated with the Baker County Health Department last year to have overdose kits on-hand at all district schools and that the district’s nurse is planning to get more kits through this program.
“Administration and front office staff were trained in each building, and each office has at least one kit and two in the middle and high school,” says Bennington-McDowell.
“We have naloxone in our schools and classrooms with staff trained on how to use it if necessary,” said George Mendoza, Superintendent of La Grande School District. “If it’s available and we need more we will participate as appropriate.”
The effort builds on the Save Lives Oregon Harm Reduction Clearinghouse Project. The project began during COVID and provided harm reduction supplies, including naloxone, to agencies around Oregon that work with people at the highest risk of substance use-related overdose, infections, and injuries.
OHA estimates that since 2022, the Harm Reduction Clearinghouse has distributed over 335,000 doses of naloxone to agencies that work with people at risk of opioid overdose.
