Board hears update on opioid antagonist policy, training and planned town hall; 75 staff trained and county partners to convene May 12
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Summary
Board heard that Georgia law (SB 395/Wesley's Law) and district regulations allow trained staff to carry opioid antagonists; the district reported 75 staff trained, participation in Direct Relief Narcan for Schools program for high schools, one school‑level incident reported since 2023, and a community town hall set for May 12 at Rockdale Career
The Rockdale County Board of Education heard an update on the district’s opioid response, training and communications plan following state action enabling trained school staff to administer opioid antagonists.
A cabinet presenter, identified in the meeting as Miss Ball (filling in for April Fallon), briefed the board on Senate Bill 395 (often referred to in public discussions as Wesley’s Law) and the district’s current programs. She said 75 staff members have received training and kits from the Gwinnett‑Newton‑Rockdale Public Health partnership; trained groups include clinic staff, school safety staff, athletic trainers and pupil‑instruction specialists. The district also participates in a Direct Relief program that provides free Narcan kits for high schools.
The presenter said clinic sites at elementary, middle and high schools carry opioid antagonist kits and that school resource officers also carry kits through their law‑enforcement agencies. She said the kits received in 2023 currently expire in 2025 and that Direct Relief has offered to resupply kits around the October expiration window.
District and community leaders described a recent intergovernmental safety meeting called by the city of Conyers’ police chief and said the meeting included the sheriff, hospital emergency‑room leaders, community providers and school safety staff. From that meeting the district said it will deploy short, localized educational video vignettes featuring superintendent and law‑enforcement messages for homeroom time and will convene a community town hall at Rockdale Career Academy on Monday, May 12, at 6 p.m. to discuss prevention and response with health and addiction experts, family members and community partners.
A board member, Justin Kenny, urged legal guidance on potential liability for staff administering opioid antagonists and counsel’s office follow‑up; the district said counsel is reviewing regulations and that the proposed regulatory updates will include Wesley’s Law language and consultation with the solicitor/counsel’s office.
Presenters told the board they were aware of one school incident since the district began carrying kits in 2023 and that the district plans annual training at minimum for clinic staff. Board members emphasized outreach to younger students and to families because children can encounter opioid‑containing products in homes and communities; the district said videos and a progressive rollout through elementary, middle and high schools were part of the planned education effort.
The board did not take a formal vote on policy wording at the meeting; the administration said it will update the medication regulation attached to regulation JGCD to align with state law and follow up with legal counsel.