Heroin-Overdose Antidote Coming To Council Rock Schools

Council Rock School District plans to carry the drug overdose antidote Narcan at both high schools.

The move comes just a week after Governor Wolf urged school districts throughout Pennsylvania to carry the potentially life-saving tool. Narcan, the brand name of Naloxone, is administered to individuals suffering from an opioid overdose, such as heroin, and reverses the effects of the ingested drug.

Superintendent Robert Fraser told the Bucks County Courier Times Narcan will be available with the nurses at both Council Rock North and South high schools.

Last week, Wolf sent a letter to Pennsylvania superintendents emphasizing his support of carrying Narcan at schools.

“Across the country and in Pennsylvania, the rate of deadly heroin and prescription opioids overdoses is unprecedented,” Governor Wolf said. “In light of this tragic fact, we would encourage any person or entity in a position to help individuals who are vulnerable to an overdose to obtain naloxone.”

Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera also expressed his support in a Sept. 18 news release. 

“Communities across the commonwealth are grappling with the realities of drug use, and as public stewards it is our responsibility to encourage the use of all the life-saving measures at our disposal,” said Rivera. “By allowing the trained medical professionals at our schools to be equipped with this critical tool, we will effectively give overdosing individuals a second chance at life, a chance that was not previously made available to them in all cases.”