TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo Public Schools is expanding the role of school nurses as the opioid crisis continues to affect students, adding Narcan to emergency kits throughout its high school buildings.
The medication is now stored in clearly marked wall cabinets for quick access if an overdose occurs on campus. District health officials say students often bring the effects of their home environments with them, and the move is meant to ensure schools are prepared for unexpected emergencies.
While security measures like metal detectors help keep weapons out, they cannot detect pills or fentanyl powder — substances that have contributed to rising youth overdoses in Ohio.
Narcan has already proven effective in a local school setting. In 2019, a Woodward High School student who was found unconscious regained stable vitals after a nurse administered a nasal dose before EMS arrived.
Health staff emphasize that Narcan is fast-acting but short-lived, and emergency crews must always be called immediately after it’s used.
TPS leaders say the district is taking a layered approach to student safety, combining Narcan availability with mental health support and increased awareness among staff as the opioid crisis continues to reach school communities.
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