Narcan in school?

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

So I am sure this has been discussed in the past but I could not find any related posts.

Our county (along with many others I am sure) is having a big overdose issue. So much so that a community church has given out Narcan vials (2mg) to people. I was told these aren't to give if you find someone passed out on the street, -could you imagine Narcan vigilantes stabbing people in the alleys!- but more so for someone who has a family member with a known drug problem.

At our last nurse staff meeting we discussed the option of having Narcan available in the high schools.

Thoughts?? Has anyone had experience with this. I think I remember Far mentioning it at one point.

It seems like there would be a lot of liability. And one of the other nurses at the meeting mentioned that if given for a benzo overdose it would result in seizures. Just trying to get feedback on if anyone is doing this in their school?

Thanks guys, have an awesome Tuesday!!

[Farawyn]

here's the thread. Lots of good stuff here.

https://allnurses.com/school-nurses/narcan-for-school-1024055.html

[OldDude]

We don't have a medical director so it'll never happen here but I would welcome such a protocol, especially in the upper grade levels. I haven't heard of the benzo contraindication.

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

here's the thread. Lots of good stuff here.

https://allnurses.com/school-nurses/narcan-for-school-1024055.html

I found it! Thank you so much!

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

NASN has developed a position statement in support of it being part of our emergency training

https://www.nasn.org/PolicyAdvocacy/PositionPapersandReports/NASNPositionStatementsFullView/tabid/462/ArticleId/854/Naloxone-Use-in-the-School-Setting-The-Role-of-the-School-Nurse-Adopted-June-2015

I support it, we haven't gotten there administratively yet, but I am pursuing the discussion.

[offlabel]

That's because there isn't one.

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

That's because there isn't one.

I had never heard that either, and I have given Narcan several times in the hospital setting. But one of the other nurses stated it like it was a fact. Made me wonder...

[bsyrn, ASN, RN]

The Narcan the public is being trained on comes in a nasal atomizer so no fear of any vigilante "stabbings". Also, even if it is not indicated, no harm with come if Narcan is administered. We have been trained and will have it in our school shortly.

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

The Narcan the public is being trained on comes in a nasal atomizer so no fear of any vigilante "stabbings". Also, even if it is not indicated, no harm with come if Narcan is administered. We have been trained and will have it in our school shortly.

I see. We have not done a lot of research on it, we were just discussing feelings about it.

The fact that we even have to discuss the possible need in high schools...

[CountryMomma, ASN, RN]

Narcan affects opioid pathways - it is ineffective for benzo ODs/intoxication. There are no contraindications. That is why flumazenil exists (but in my opinion, shouldn't.)