School Committee Crafts Naloxone Policy

DEDHAM, MA — School officials are now crafting the policy needed in the event of a drug overdoes.

Last week, the School Committee held the first reading for the Naloxone policy, better known as Narcan. Created by the Policy Subcommittee, the policy is designed to give school nurses and staff direction when it comes to an overdoes in the Dedham Public Schools.

“Sadly, this is where we live today. This is an epidemic across the country and Dedham is no different than any other city of town,” Committee member Lisa Laprade said.

In the event that someone in the school suffers a drug overdose, the person will be given Naloxone and then sent to the nearest hospital by emergency medical services. If the victim is a student, student support services will be notified. In all cases, an incident report must be filled out.

“This is going on in a lot of schools and this wouldn’t likely be used on students, but adults in the school,” Superintendent Michael Welch said.

Both Police Chief Michael D’Entremont and Fire Chief William F. Spillane have signed off on the policy, Laprade said.

Per committee policy, the Naloxone policy will go through two more readings before becoming official policy.