Naloxone Administration in Response to a Suspected Opioid Overdose in a School Setting 3-97

School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 3-97

BUSINESS AND NONINSTRUCTIONAL OPERATIONS

Naloxone Administration in Response to a Suspected Opioid Overdose in a School Setting

1. Purpose

   Opioid overdoses and deaths are an epidemic nationally and in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Recent changes in the law have made access to and administration of opioid reversing medications more practical for staff in school settings to obtain and administer. The purpose of this Policy is to establish procedures, training and access to supplies for providing emergency medical care to an individual experiencing symptom of, or reasonably believed to be suffering from, a possible opioid overdose, including the administration of opioid-reversal medications.

2. Definitions
   1. Opioids- are substances that contain opium or opium derivatives that are legally prescribed for paid relief or treatment of an opioid use disorder. They may come in a variety of forms and may also be manufactured and sold illegally for non-prescription use.
   2. Opioid overdose- means an occurrence when a toxic amount of an opioid, including when mixed with other substances, overwhelms the body’s ability to process it. Opioid overdose can result in life-threatening symptoms, including respiratory depression.
   3. Opioid reversal medications (e.g., naloxone, or similar medication)- work temporarily to counteract the toxic effects of opioid overdose. Naloxone is considered safe to administer even in symptoms are not due to an opioid overdose, or it an individual in unconscious. Naloxone is most often administered via a single-use intranasal spray but can also be administered via injectable routes. This Policy anticipates that other opioid reversal medications or treatments may developed and approved in the future and the term opioid reversal medication should be interpreted to include approved developments.
   4. School setting- will include all middle and high school facilities, buildings and grounds, vehicles owned, leased, or operated by the School Board and the School Division while on middle and high school grounds, those locations when and where the School Board or the School Division are conducting school sponsored events. When school facilities, buildings, grounds or vehicles are rented or lent to outside groups or when school or business are not in session, this Policy is not in affect.
3. Authorization to stock and training to administer opioid reversing medications

   All middle and high schools in the School Division are authorized to stock and maintain a minimum of four (4) doses of Naloxone or other opioid reversing medication. Only authorized school staff or contractors are authorized to have or administer Naloxone or other opioid reversing medication in the school setting. The Department of School Leadership, Office of Health Services will be responsible for developing the procedures and/or protocols to implement this Policy.

   The school nurse and clinic assistant will be trained as well as building administrators (principals, assistant principals, or designees as determined by the principal or building administrator) on

   1. obtaining, storage, and replacement of opioid reversing medications
   2. identification of individuals who are experiencing actual or suspected opioid overdoses in the school setting
   3. administering of opioid reversing medications and other aid to such individuals
   4. procedures for obtaining emergency and/health services for such individual
   5. the procedure for notifying the emergency contact for an adult student or the parent/legal guardian/emergency contact for a minor student who has been administered an opioid reversing medication
   6. the procedure for notifying the emergency contact or other individual for a staff member or authorized contractor or volunteer
   7. the identification of at least three staff members at each school site who are trained to administer opioid reversing medications and the scheduling of at least one of those individuals to provide coverage at the school setting during school, business or school sponsored event hours take place in the school setting
   8. Other training and procedures determined necessary
4. Intent of provision of opioid reversing medication or assistance and conditions

   The School Board does not condone the use of unauthorized opioids or the misuse of authorized opioids in the school setting. The authorization to stock and administer opioid reversing medication is solely provided for the purpose of addressing life threatening opioid overdose until such time as emergency and/or medical assistance can be obtained. Nothing in this Policy or its supporting procedures/protocols should be interpreted to guarantee that the administration of opioid reversing medication or assistance will be effective or will not cause further harm to the individual receiving the medication/assistance. Nothing in this Policy guarantees that the School Division will have sufficient supplies and trained individuals to meet all incidents of opioid overdose in the school setting.

   The following conditions will also apply:

   1. No person who has been administered opioid reversing medication or assistance in the school setting will be allowed to return to the school setting until authorized to do so by the principal or designee.
   2. Discipline may be imposed for violations of the Code of Student Conduct or related to the opioid overdose or suspected overdose.
   3. Law enforcement may be contacted and provided with necessary information to address the health or safety concerns.
   4. Costs related to the obtaining of emergency and/or medical treatment due to the overdose or the administration of opioid reversing medication/assistance will be the responsibility of the adult or the parent/legal guardian of the minor individual who received such services.
   5. No person other than authorized school staff, authorized School Division contractors or law enforcement/emergency services personnel may possess or administer opioid medication in the school setting.
   6. All opioid overdoses or suspected overdoses as well as the administration of opioid reversing medications/assistance in the school setting will be reported to principal/designee as soon as possible for the purposes of ensuring the health and safety of the school setting.
   7. Authorized school staff or School Division contractors who administer opioid medication or assistance reasonably in accordance with this Policy and/or its supporting procedures/protocols will be defended by the School Board in accordance with its risk management programs and as required by law.

Legal Reference

Code of Virginia § 8.01-225, as amended. Professional use by practitioners.

Code of Virginia § 54.1-3408, as amended. Persons rendering emergency care, obstetrical services exempt from liability.

VBCPS Health Services Manual, as amended.

Virginia Department of Education School Health Guidelines: Best Practices on Naloxone Possession and Administration in Response to a Suspected Opioid Overdose in the School Setting, as amended.

Virginia Department of Education Naloxene Administrative Procedures, as amended.

Adopted by School Board: August 8, 2023