NASHUA, N.H. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Nashua school officials are calling it a proactive approach: implementing Narcan kits at the high school and middle school levels.
NH1 reports that Nashua parents are not all on board. Some said that by having Narcan in schools, kids could be more free to experiment, knowing the overdose-reversing drug was nearby.
"Knowing that there is a way to get out of that situation, I guess it would act like a fail safe," said Brett Rover, a concerned parent.
School officials disagree, saying that it could save a life on school property.
NH1 News asked Superintendent of Schools Mark Conrad if there is a drug problem in the middle and high school.
"We know we have concerns about substance abuse in our schools," said Conrad.
Conrad said there have not been any drug-related incidents yet, but he wants to be prepared.
"I want our children to be safe and if something happens, I want us to have everything we can have to deal with it," said George Farrington, President Board of Education in Nashua.
Narcan is already in nearly 80 Massachusetts school districts, from the cities to the suburbs, including Braintree, Hudson and Easton. Haverhill recently decided to stock Narcan in all of its school buildings; 25 school nurses in the district will be trained to administer it in spray-form.
Nashua students see the step as good safety measure.
"I wouldn't say 'necessary,' but I guess good as a precaution," Eric Freeman said.
"I mean you don't want to see anyone do it, especially kids," said Johnny Michelin, a student at Nashua South. "It's devastating just to think about it."
Currently Nashua police are not trained to use Narcan, so in the case of an overdose; school nurses would administer it.
Cox Media Group
