So far, no cases of fentanyl use have been reported at Taylor Independent School District campuses, but administrators are taking proactive steps to address a potential threat by storing an antioverdose drug and training staff to use it.
“It is clear that fentanyl as a drug is spreading throughout Central Texas,” said Superintendent Devin Padavil. “We want our schools to be prepared for the worst-case scenario which would be a student possibly being under the influence at our schools, which we have not encountered at this time. But we want to be prepared for the worst.”
At a school board meeting Oct. 17, trustees OK’d including Naxolone, also known as Narcan, to their list of approved medications staff are trained to store and use in case of an emergency.
Narcan helps reverse the effects of an opioid overdose within minutes. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid.
“While we are not aware of any fentanyl overdoses in Taylor ISD at this time, we know that it has been a great problem in districts surrounding us,” said Tiffany Whitsel, the assistant superintendent of organizational management for Taylor ISD. “We have had some districts close to us that have lost students recently due to fentanyl overdoses as well as opioid overdoses.”
According to an article in the September issue of the East Wilco Insider, fentanyl is the leading killer of Americans 18 to 45 years old and is 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroine.
Whitsel said the amended policy could potentially save lives.
“This would allow us in an emergency situation to be able to administer it because it would be a life-saving piece, and right now, they say anywhere between 10 to 15 minutes (is the window for reversing an overdose). It’s that crucial,” she said.
School nurses at the district recommended adding Narcan to the emergency medication policy, Whitsel said.
“Currently, the big one on (the current policy) is EpiPens,” Whitsel said. “If you have somebody go into anaphylaxis, we have extra EpiPens in case we ever need them, and so similar to that, we would have Narcan available, and do training for our staff if ever needed for Narcan for our students or employees.”
Anaphylaxis is a severe and deadly allergic reaction.
“With that, only a registered nurse or someone that has been trained would be able to do that. They would administer the medication, and they would only do so with an order from a physician, and we have standing orders from physicians for EpiPens, and so this would be something we would include,” Whitsel added.
Taylor High School Principal Matthew Wamble expressed his support for updating the policy.
“I think it’s great, just being able to have it there,” Wamble told the trustees. “I would like to say (fentanyl) is not being used, but to have (Narcan) available would be a great asset for us. Just make sure the training is right on it. We could have some people that are trained on it in different parts of the building, just in case. I think that’s the best solution for us.”
Reporter Edie Zuvanich contributed to this report.
