PUEBLO — From police officers on campus to locked doors and secure entries, safety is a serious matter at Pueblo School District 60.
This summer, the district took it a step further. Some nurses, including those working at middle schools, are now trained in using Narcan.
"We want ot take every precaution possible to protect our students in the event that something drastic happens," said Dalton Sprouse, communications director for the district.
The emergency medication, also known as Naloxone, is sprayed directly into the nose to counteract someone experiencing a heroin overdose. Sprouse said District 60 has never had a drug overdose incident at any of its schools.
According to Dr. Michael Nerenberg, it's a threat even to junior high students, in line with the opioid epidemic.
"We know there are kids in middle school using, and so they too deserve a chance to live," Nerenberg said.
Nerenberg serves as president on the board of directors for the Southern Colorado Harm Reduction Association in Pueblo. Even though the opioid epidemic is felt nationwide, he said it's particularly prevalent in Pueblo.
"We are on of the worst areas of the state in terms of use. We are one of the highest in terms of per capita overdoses," Nerenberg said.
Again, the district has never had an overdose incident. It just doesn't hurt to be prepared, Sprouse said.
"But in the event that we do, even if we can just save one life, we believe the measure is worth it," Sprouse said.
The harm reduction association receives the Narcan through a state grant. Their training is available to anyone that wants it. For more information, click here.
News 5's Colette Bordelon will have more on Narcan, and if the drug is providing drug addicts more reason to use, Thursday night on News 5 at 10.
