Naloxone kits in high schools a 'proactive' move, school board says

Waterloo's public school board is one step closer to having naloxone kits in its secondary schools.

On Monday, the Waterloo Region District School Board approved a motion to stock the kits, but the decision will need to be ratified later this month.

• No naloxone in Waterloo region public schools for now, trustees decide
• Waterloo region schools opt for anti-drug education over naloxone

Trustee Cindy Watson put forward the motion, saying the board is "responsible for the academic excellence and well-being of students."

"So we, at some point, have to say ... are we prepared? Are we in a place where we feel that we are doing all we can?" she told CBC K-W.

Board not naieve, says Watson

Watson said it's naive to think that students aren't going to do drugs, regardless of the messages they are being taught at home and at school.

She also said she's concerned about students who may take a drug without realizing it.

"So, for staff and people to stand around and watch someone on the floor for four or five minutes that's an awfully long time to watch someone until emergency responders get there," she said.

So far, she said she's not aware of any student overdosing while at school, but that doesn't mean it couldn't happen.

She said having the naloxone kits at school is a way of being proactive, so that if overdose did happen, administration would be prepared.

Public health would support move

If the board does ratify its decision to bring naloxonekits into high schools, it will not need permission from the region's public health department.

GraceBermingham, manager of harm reduction for the region, said it's up to each organization or company to decide whether it wants or doesn't want naloxone on site.

"We take a neutral stand," she told CBC K-W. "Ultimately, we support organizations through a process to self assess to see if this is something that they think would be useful and beneficial to have on hand for their population."

Whether or not the school board does stock naloxone, she said teaching youth about drug overdoses will continue to be important.