Naloxone in the School Setting. Position Statement. Revised

It is the position of the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) that the safe and effective management of opioid-related overdoses in schools must be incorporated into the school emergency preparedness and response plans. The registered professional school nurse provides leadership in all phases of emergency preparedness and response. When emergencies happen, including drug-related emergencies, proper management of these incidents at school is vital to positive outcomes. The school nurse is essential to the school team responsible for developing and implementing emergency response procedures. School nurses in this role should facilitate access to naloxone for quick response in the management of opioid-related overdoses in the school setting. Through community outreach with prescription opioid abuse, misuse and overdose awareness programs, school nurses can provide valuable education and be a useful resource for K-12 students and their families. Furthermore, school nurses can assist families in recognizing the signs and symptoms of substance abuse, support and guide them in locating resources for care, counseling, and even refer students for appropriate treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). [This position statement was initially adopted in June 2015. It was revised in June 2020.]