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SHAC urges fentanyl-awareness and human-trafficking education for middle and high school students
Summary
The district’s School Health Advisory Council recommended adding fentanyl-awareness material (CATCH slides and the documentary 'Debt on Arrival') for grades 6–12 with an opt-out option, and an opt-in human-trafficking awareness program delivered by a live presenter for grades 6–12; SHAC emphasized parent communications and community partnerships.
Representatives from the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) presented their annual report and recommended two curriculum additions to the board.
SHAC recommended implementing fentanyl-awareness content for students in grades 6–12 using materials already in the district’s CATCH curriculum and supplementing those slides with the documentary Debt on Arrival. SHAC representatives said the slides are already available through the district's CATCH subscription and that adding the materials would incur no additional curriculum subscription cost. The council recommended offering parents an opt-out option and providing clear communications to families, including text notices and flyers.
On human trafficking, SHAC reported reviewing a live, in-person program that uses crowd interaction and visual demonstrations; the council recommended offering that program to grades 6–12 on an opt-in basis, ideally as an assembly. SHAC also noted partnerships with San Antonio Metro Health for related health-education topics and suggested keeping awareness in front of students and parents throughout the year.
SHAC parent-chair Billy Harbor emphasized the danger of fentanyl and the need for clear messaging: “The drug is especially dangerous. It cannot be seen. It can't be tasted. It can't be smelled,” Harbor said, urging early intervention and consistent parent communications.
Next steps: SHAC will continue to refine recommended materials and communications strategies and will return to the board next week with items for formal consideration, including possible opt-in/opt-out policies and parent notification plans.
