Overdose reversal drugs now allowed in K-12 schools in South Carolina; AHS still awaiting theirs

by Ellie E.

South Carolina lawmakers passed a law that states that all K-12 schools in South Carolina have access to overdose reversal drugs in August of 2023.

This law being passed brings awareness to the rising problem of drug use with teens. This medication now being available might change the overdose protocol at Airport High School, if we get this medication.

South Carolina is experiencing an alarming increase in drug related deaths, like the rest of the country. The percent of drug related adolescent deaths increased 94% from 2019 to 2020 alone. In 2022, the number of drug related deaths in South Carolina went from 1,131 to 1,734. This according to DHEC.

This law also adds drugs like naloxone to the schools stock of lifesaving medications. Schools can have 2 boxes of the medication at school, which comes out to be 4 doses of naloxone on school campus.

The use of fentanyl increased 22% from 2020 to 2021 according to DHEC. The use of this opioid has increased so much because it is a cheap synthetic drug supplied by foreign drug cartels. There is a cheap production cost and high potency.

“I think it is very much needed, because it is very scary not having them,” Nurse Ritchie states, when giving her opinion on the matter.

The Principal of Airport High School, Matt Schilit, tells us what he knows about these drugs and states that his knowledge is, “ Very limited, probably about what you know. Obviously I saw the News clippings, that it is approved and going to be coming to our schools. We have not received guidance, expectations, yet regarding how we are going to use them.”

Matt Schilit also adds that Airport should be getting these drugs and says, “ If it is approved, which it looks like it has been. I will say then yes, absolutely.”

Many people believe that having these life saving medications at schools will be an asset to have on campus and that these medications have been needed for a long time. Some find it sad that schools are now having to keep this drug on campus due to the rise in teen overdose deaths.

This law being passed will cause school nurses and other staff to receive special training on how to administer this drug. The problem with teen drug use has been one that has been around for a while, but has recently been increasing because of fentanyl.

If you or a loved one needs help, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations helpline is 1-800-622-HELP.