Constructed Responses Week 2, Impact of Opioids and Fentanyl_CourseHero
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Constructed Responses Week 2: Impact of Opioids and Fentanyl
Mission, Vision, and Core Values
Brandi May
American College of Education
EL5983
Dr. Shawn E. Greiner
January 21, 2024
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Memo
To: INGDA K-5 Elementary Staff
CC: Jennifer Komisarcik, Principal
From: Brandi May
Date: January 14, 2024
Subject: Urgent Memo - Addressing the Impact of Opioid and Fentanyl Abuse in Our School Community
Good afternoon,
Opioids have become a prominent concern, particularly within school aged students. There has been a consistent increase in adolescent deaths from the use of opioids, rising from 518 deaths in 2010, to 1,146 deaths per year in 2021, according to UCLA Health. In response to the increase in
overdoses, educators have undergone training to administer Narcan, a medication designed to reverse opioid overdoses. In some schools, students are equipped to administer Narcan to their peers.
Opioid addiction often stems from the improper use of prescribed medications or the unauthorized use of someone else's prescription. The Mayo Clinic highlights “
Opioid use — even short term — can lead to addiction and, too often, overdose” (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Regrettably, opioids that have been widely used in the past, such as Vicodin, morphine, and oxycodone are not the only options for adolescents today. There has been a shift towards more potent and dangerous substances like fentanyl, which can be up to 100 times stronger than morphine. “15% of high school students reported having ever used select illicit or injection drugs
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(i.e. cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamines, hallucinogens, or ecstasy)” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Given this alarming trend, it is crucial to act within our school system to minimize opioid usage and, more importantly, decrease overdoses. Our first measure involves creating awareness among
both staff and students regarding opioids, including their characteristics, associated risks, and crisis response procedures. We plan to address this through a staff meeting scheduled for next week and a dedicated student assembly.
After implementing the opioid awareness initiative, a corresponding plan will be established for staff members when they suspect a student's exposure to opioids. The response protocol for suspected opioid use is outlined as follows:
Notify the Principal: Report the situation to the administration for proper documentation and resolution.
Contact Parents: Inform parents about the suspected situation and request their immediate
involvement for urgent medical evaluation of their child.
Consultation with School Counselor: Connect with the School Counselor to access resources for external counseling programs.
Provide resources for a Mental Health Worker: Provide student and family with Mental Health resources.
Post-Rehabilitation Safety Plan: Upon the student's return from rehabilitation, develop a safety plan to ensure their well-being within the school community. This plan will be
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monitored by a team consisting of the school’s principal, counselor, and school social worker.
Thank you for your focus regarding this crisis. Your understanding and support are essential, and
if you have any questions, please contact us. We highly value your ongoing support in ensuring the welfare of our students. Sincerely,
Brandi May
Principal
Indiana Gateway Digital Academy Elementary School
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References
Mayo Clinic. (2018, February 16).
How opioid addiction occurs
. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/in-depth/how-
opioid-addiction-occurs/art-20360372
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022).
High risk substance use in youth
. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/substance-use/index.htm
Rivero, E. (2022, April 12).
Adolescent drug overdose deaths rose exponentially for the first time
in history during the COVID pandemic | UCLA Health
. Www.uclahealth.org. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/adolescent-drug-overdose-deaths-rose-exponentially-
first