Naloxone Administration in School Settings Toolkit
Developing a School Naloxone Policy
Go to: School Toolkit
A school may find it very helpful to identify a person who can coordinate the overall development of the school’s policy and emergency response procedures. Most schools will find it helpful to identify key roles and staff to be a part of a team including school administrators, building principals, school nurse, student support staff, teachers, and partner with community agencies, families, and students as appropriate.
A policy is a guide for decision making within an organization that is a rule for action. Policies are typically developed and adopted by the local school board after being systematically reviewed by a team.
It is recommended that a school or district create a policy around the use of naloxone as part of the emergency response to a possible overdose. A School policy could consider having a purpose statement, the general statement of the policy, definitions to support or clarify the policy, a general overview of policy and responsibilities of school staff as others as needed to respond and provide naloxone as emergency response and legal references as needed.
Since naloxone can be readily obtained by individuals for use in their homes or social situations, school may want to consider how to address situations whereby students or staff want to possess and administer naloxone. MN Statute 121A.224 Subd. 2. specifically states, “A school district or charter school may allow a student in grades 9 through 12 to possess and administer an opiate antagonist to another high school student. The protection of section 604A.04 apply to the possession and administration of opiate antagonists according to this section.”
This statute provision should be addressed in the school’s policy and/or procedure and communication and education provided to appropriate staff, especially those who are members of the emergency response team and students and families.
The Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA) offers sample policy language for the administration of naloxone in schools (MSBA Model Policy 516.5). It is available to all Minnesota schools for free.
Instructions to access Model Policy 516.5
- Please visit Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA)
- Access Policies under the Resource Library tab
- Choose either District Policies or Charter Policies
- Choose 500 Series – Students
- Choose 516.5 – Overdose Medication
- Scroll to the bottom of the page to click on the 516.5 download link
For further questions on MSBA/MASA Policy services contact MNMSBA directly at 507-934-8126 or 800-324-4459