Albuquerque Public Schools
Administration of Naloxone in Schools - October 2018 Revision
Notice: This policy was reviewed, revised, and/or renamed. We provide this revision for historic purposes only. Please see our current policies and procedural directives.
This procedural directive was reviewed and revised in October 2018. We provide this revision for historic purposes only.
The purpose of this procedural directive is to establish guidelines and procedures governing the utilization of Naloxone in Albuquerque Public Schools. The district wishes to prevent opiate related overdose deaths by making Naloxone available in its high schools. Naloxone is a medication found to reverse the effects of an opiate-related drug overdose (opioid antagonist).
Consistent with New Mexico law, NMSA 1978, 24-23-1.B, Albuquerque Public Schools may provide and maintain opioid antagonist medication in its high schools for the treatment of suspected overdose. In order to provide and maintain opioid antagonist medication, Albuquerque Public Schools must be in compliance with Department of Health standing orders. The New Mexico Department of Health Regional Health Officer has issued a standing order that allows Albuquerque Public Schools to obtain, store and administer Naloxone as long as school nurses and non-clinical staff have completed an overdose prevention and Naloxone administration class.
Training
Before any APS employee may administer Naloxone, the employee must successfully complete an overdose prevention and Naloxone administration training and an administration skills checklist. All APS PED licensed high school nurses shall receive training to: 1) store and administer Naloxone and 2) train other school high school staff in the administration of Naloxone. APS trained licensed school nurses may train other volunteer school staff in the administration of Naloxone. The volunteer employee may then administer an opioid antagonist during an emergency to any student, staff member or visitor suspected of having an opioid-related drug overdose whether or not there is a previous history of opioid abuse.
Training and demonstration of skill competence must be completed annually.
Procurement of Naloxone
Procurement of Naloxone should occur prior to the expiration date on the product label. Each individual high school will be responsible for securing replacement product.
Naloxone may be obtained from any entity that is willing to provide it to the school. This includes, but is not limited to, pharmacies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, medical facilities, health organization or licensed prescriber. Individual or group donors may pay for medication, but it must be provided directly to the school from an entity licensed to store or distribute medication.
Storage of Naloxone
The school nurse at participating schools will store and maintain the opioid antagonists per the guidelines outlined in the New Mexico Department of Health Standing Order of Naloxone by School Personnel. It will be clearly marked and stored in an accessible place at the discretion of the school nurse. The school nurse will ensure that all trained staff are aware of the storage location.
Use of Naloxone
In case of suspected opioid overdose, the school nurse, or other trained staff member, shall follow the protocols outlined in the Naloxone in School: Training for School Staff and the Naloxone: Administration of Emergency Opioid Antagonist Skills Checklist.
Administration of Naloxone shall not be required in circumstances of unavailability of Naloxone, unavailability of a qualified Naloxone administrator and/or uncertainty as to whether an opioid overdose is occurring. Emergency medical services (911) shall be called in these circumstances.
Nothing in this directive is intended to regulate, restrict or otherwise deter a law enforcement officer, emergency medical technician, licensed medical professional or other authorized individual from administering his/her own supply of Naloxone when responding in good faith to a suspected opioid drug overdose occurring on district property.
Liability
Per NMSA 24-23-1 a person “shall not be subject to civil liability, criminal prosecution or professional disciplinary action”--- “provided that actions are taken with reasonable care and without willful, wanton or reckless behavior.”
Administrative Position:
Assistant Superintendent of Equity, Instruction and Support/Associate Superintendents
Department Director:
Executive Director of Student, Family and Community Supports Division and Director of Nursing/Director of Counseling
References:
Legal Cross Ref.:
- §22-5-4.3 NMSA 1978
- §22-51-1 et seq. NMSA 1978
- §24-23-1 NMSA 1978
- NMAC 6.12.4
Board Policy Cross Ref.:
- JL – Student and Staff Wellness and Welfare
- JL1 Student Drug and Alcohol Use and Overdose Prevention
Procedural Directive Cross Ref:
- APS Student Behavior Handbook
- Student Expulsion
- Long-Term Suspension of a Student
- Student Smoking and/or Tobacco Use
NSBA/NEPN Classification: JLDB
Introduced: January 5, 2018
Adopted: January 31, 2018