Naloxone Program Procedure

1.1 Naloxone is a drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of opioid poisoning. Opioids are drugs that are prescribed by a medical practitioner to treat pain; however, opioids are also used recreationally. Examples of commonly used opioids include morphine, heroin, oxycodone, fentanyl, codeine and hydromorphone.

1.2 As a proactive measure, and to decrease the potential risk of opioid poisoning, each Durham District School Board school and worksite will maintain a minimum of one naloxone kit as part of the emergency response and first aid program.

1.3 This procedure is to be interpreted and applied in accordance with the District’s commitment to promoting and upholding Indigenous rights and human rights in all of its learning and working environments. This includes anti-colonial, anti-discriminatory and anti-racist approaches and actions to provide services and employment that are safe, welcoming, respectful, inclusive, equitable, accessible and free from discrimination and harassment consistent with the, DDSB’s Human Rights, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Racism Policy, the Indigenous Education Policy, the Safe and Respectful Workplace and Harassment Prevention Policy.

2.1 The Durham District School Board will:

• Ensure a naloxone spray kit is provided to each school and worksite.
• Maintain an inventory of naloxone kits along with the expiry dates.
• Maintain a centrally stocked supply of naloxone replacement kits.
• Ensure accessible staff training to support the naloxone program, as required.

2.2 The School Administrator(s) or designated Manager (Education Centre and Maintenance 
Centre) will:

• Store the naloxone kit in the AED cabinet(s).
• Broadly communicate the location of the naloxone kit to all staff.
• Participate in naloxone administration training (available on the Professional Learning Hub).
• Ensure there is adequate First Aid/CPR trained staff at each school and worksite to respond to an emergency. Note: in addition to naloxone administration, other resuscitative measures, such as CPR and the use of an AED, may be required.
• Annually review with staff and post on the Health and Safety bulletin board, the signs and symptoms of an opioid poisoning (See Appendix 2). Annually review with staff the school specific procedures to summon immediate first aid response.
• Ensure the contents of the naloxone kit are inspected monthly (as part of the AED Monthly Inspection Checklist – Board Procedure Automatic External Defibrillator Program)
• Notify the Health and Safety Department when a naloxone kit is used in order that a replacement kit can be immediately provided to the school.
• If naloxone use/emergency response involves a student, notify Family of Schools Superintendent and Positive School Climates Superintendent. Complete and submit an OSBIE form. If naloxone use/emergency response involves a staff member, notify People and Culture Superintendent.
• Debrief with any involved staff and offer available supports (EFAP).
• Provide support to any students who may have witnessed the event or been involved. Social Work, Psychological Services, and Mental Health staff are available to provide support to students as may be required.

2.3 The Lead Custodian will:

• Ensure the contents of the naloxone kit are inspected monthly (as part of the AED Monthly Inspection Checklist – Board Procedure Automatic External Defibrillator Program).
• Monitor the expiry dates of naloxone and notify the Health and Safety Department when units are expiring within the next month.

2.4 DDSB staff will:

• Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid poisoning emergency.
• Call 911 if an overdose emergency is suspected and take action as directed fromemergency responders, trained first aid staff and/or school administrators.
• Notify the office immediately to summon First Aid/CPR trained staff.

3.1 Training on the administration of naloxone can be found on the DDSB Professional Learning Hub. This training is required for all school administrators and designated managers (Education Centre and Maintenance Centre) and strongly recommended for all trained First Aid/CPR staff. This training will include:

• How to recognize an opioid overdose;
• How to administer naloxone;
• Hazards related to the administration of naloxone.

Standard First Aid/CPR training sessions that are provided to DDSB staff will contain supporting information related to the naloxone program including but not limited to, the signs and symptoms of an opioid poisoning, immediate first aid response measures, and the administration of naloxone.

4.1 Naloxone kits will be maintained to contain the following:

• Naloxone hydrochloride intra-nasal spray 4 mg/0.1 ml (2 doses);
• One way valve CPR mask;
• Nitrile gloves;
• Visual instruction sheet.

4.2 The naloxone kits will be stored in the AED cabinets. A sign indicating the location of the naloxone kit will be affixed to the AED cabinet.

5.1 Other Documents

Good Samaritan Act, 2001
Chase McEachern Act, 2007 (Heart Defibrillation Civil Liability)
Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation 559/22: Naloxone Kit