Emergency Drug Overdose Medication Added To All Basking Ridge Schools

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Emergency overdose boxes containing naloxone (Narcan) are being installed at all Bernards Township Schools in the district over Spring Break.

District Nursing Coordinator, Rita Zarabara announced that all buildings will have an emergency overdose medication, naloxone (narcan) available.

Narcan is a medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. It can quickly restore breathing. Narcan is given as a nasal spray to anyone who is suspected to have overdosed on fentanyl, heroin or any other opiate, like oxycodone.

"There is no harm to anyone if you use it and they have not overdosed. And Good Samaritan Laws protect anyone assisting a person in this situation. So, when in doubt, use it," said Zarabara.

Zarabara shared a couple of videos about how to use the spray in an emergency.

How to Use Narcan Nasal Spray: (Video 4 min):

Narcan Administration (Video 30 Seconds):

Currently, Ridge High School has one overdose box containing Narcan that is similar to the AED box outside of the Health Office pursuant to New Jersey State law requiring Narcan be available in grades 9-12.

Zarabara said the district is installing more emergency overdose boxes in other locations (near the AED boxes) in all schools.

The boxes will not be locked and will not have an alarm on them so they are accessible after school hours. Each box will have a kit containing two doses of Narcan inside.

Where are they located?:

• RHS: Outside the Health Office, PAC and new GYM
• WAMS: Outside the Health Office and Rm #416
• Elementary Schools: Outside the Heath Offices
• Board Office: Narcan is in the AED box.

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