By EMS1 Staff
PITTSBURGH — In the wake of the growing opioid epidemic, the Pennsylvania governor announced Thursday that over 100 high schools will be provided with Narcan.
The state’s Department of Health will provide high schools with the nasal spray form of naloxone, free of charge, reported CBS Pittsburgh.
“I am grateful to Adapt Pharma, the Department of Health and the participating public schools for doing their part in fighting against the opioid epidemic,” Governor Tom Wolf said. “By equipping trained professionals in schools with this drug, we are providing the necessary resources in order to address this public health crisis.”
One hundred and twenty-eight public schools, including charter schools, intermediate units and career and technical centers will receive Narcan. School nurses will be trained on how to administer it.
“Having Narcan in a school could mean the difference between life and death for a student or anyone who overdoses on school property,” Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy said. “I encourage other districts to work with their school nurses to get involved in this groundbreaking problem.”