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Board considers draft revision to Policy 3424 on opioid overdose reversal; conversation centers on student access and training
Summary
Board members discussed a first consideration to revise Policy 3424 (opioid-related overdose reversal). Staff described existing training, past life-saving use at a high school and issues around student possession, family notification and storage; no vote was taken.
Snohomish — Board members on March 26 discussed the first consideration of a proposed revision to Policy 3424, which addresses opioid-related overdose reversal (Narcan), focusing on training, student access and family notification.
Staff said the district has provided opioid-reversal supplies at high schools for several years and recently expanded availability to middle schools. The presenter said one high-school incident in the past two years required use of the reversal medication and was life-saving. Staff explained that nasal naloxone products are now available over the counter, generally cost $30–$50 for a two-dose package, and have longer shelf life than earlier formulations.
Board members asked about whether students would be allowed to carry naloxone, how the district would register or verify training for students who possess it, and how families would be notified. Staff replied that the product’s over-the-counter status has changed the practical conversation and that the policy would specify training and storage expectations; staff also said the district would seek to balance confidentiality for students struggling with substance use and the safety benefit of wider availability.
Staff said the district obtained a supply through the educational-service-district (ESD) health-wellness program and that the policy includes training requirements and procedural safeguards. The discussion did not result in a vote; the item was listed as first consideration and will return for further consideration at a future meeting.
Clarifying points raised by board members included concerns about elementary availability, how the district would handle nonprescription items in backpacks, and the role of school nurses. Staff noted that early rollout focused on high schools and then middle schools, and that discussions about elementary availability reflect broader community concerns about accidental access or ingestion.
