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Central Unified students tell board their peer-led CAD program expanded Narcan access and campus harm-reduction efforts
Summary
High-school interns representing CAD (a peer-led harm-reduction program) told the board they have helped make naloxone available on campuses, trained staff, and plan outreach events this year including opioid education, town halls and Narcan demonstrations.
Anisa Baker and a group of student interns presented to the Central Unified Board of Trustees on Nov. 18 about CAD, a peer-led substance-use reduction and harm-reduction initiative operating in multiple local schools. Kamalpreet Kaur, the KED fellow who oversees recruitment for the internship, said the program selects students for "integrity, grit, determination and tenacity" and will run opioid education and Narcan distribution tabling at Central East and Justin Garza high schools in February.
Students described concrete changes they say CAD helped produce. Clara Guba, a senior at Justin Garza High School, said Narcan (naloxone) is now available in classrooms across Central Unified and that "teachers and administrators became Narcan certified," allowing trained staff to respond to overdose emergencies. Bonnie Kombuch, a ninth grader, recounted an incident she said occurred on a campus in which a teacher called 911 and administered Narcan, saving a student's life.
Kamalpreet and other student speakers outlined CAD—s broader harm-reduction work: town halls, community movie nights, needle drives and beach cleanups, and a plan to host Narcan demonstrations at a student picnic. "This program will continue to make positive impacts on our district for years to come," student Carmen Tallwell said. Several speakers urged more education about vaping and mental-health resources for students.
Board members responded with praise and follow-up commitments. Trustee Kurfand thanked the students for exemplifying youth voice; the board agreed to coordinate with staff about supporting future CAD events and noted the work will be returned under consent for any administrative items needed.
The board did not take formal action on the presentations; student-led CAD activities were placed on the record during the public-comment portion of the meeting and staff were invited to follow up on logistics and scheduling.
