Back to School Prep has certainly changed in recent years. Now, some parents are packing health kits containing Narcan for their college students to take back to school to help combat overdoses and keep kids safe. Narcan is a popular brand name for naloxone, a medication that can quickly reverse an opioid overdose. Once available only by prescription, it is now available for over-the-counter use.
As parents, we talk to our kids openly about substance abuse to educate and encourage them to make good choices, but peer pressure can be a challenge especially with social media. In the college environment, the reality is that your teen may encounter new experiences while attending parties and living among other in the dorm so there is a chance they may be exposed to someone who has an overdose.
There is a bit of controversy associated with this issue - some studies show that few college students know how to correctly administer the Narcan nasal spray effectively to reverse the effects of opioids. There are also mixed opinions among parents - some believe that providing teens with Narcan may encourage drug use. Other believe that it's better to have Narcan on hand for emergency situations and not need it, than not to have it at all. It is important whichever side of the issue you may be on that you continue to educate yourself and have open conversations with your children about safety and healthy choices.
On a recent episode of the Fox News show "Outnumbered," panelists discussed the pros and cons of providing teens with Narcan.
Here is a link to view the 5-minute segment:
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