The Superintendent of Kamloops-Thompson School District 73 it was all a “big misunderstanding” after a small number of students at Sa-Hali Secondary School brought home Naloxone kits, prompting a visit to the principal’s office by the mayor of Kamloops.
“We had a student as part of a class do a presentation on the opioid crisis and the principal asked that a public health nurse attend that presentation in case there were questions,” Rhonda Nixon told NL News.
She says the public health nurse showed the class Naloxone kits and when some were left on a back table some students “misunderstood” and took the kits home. That prompted one angry parent to contact the mayor – who showed up at the school in-person.
“That parent contacted the mayor before we had an opportunity to learn what happened. You can imagine if you’re a parent and your child comes home with a Naloxone kit and there’s been no education and you have no information you would be maybe upset,” Nixon said.
“So it’s fine, the mayor contacted the school principal and then school principal explained what I just explained to you.”
That satisfied the mayor – who declined comment for this story.
“We’re talking about a parent who expressed concerns, a mayor who contacted the principal, the principal contacted me and really it’s – I would say it was solved quickly” Nixon added.
The kits have since been returned and an explanation and apology letter sent to parents.
Nixon says SD73 policy states that if there was any intent to hand out Naloxone kits – parents would have been notified in advance and given the option to opt out.
Carla Mantie, Interior Health’s Director of Mental Health and Substance Use for Kamloops-Thompson provided a written response to questions from NL News. She says the health authority’s overdose prevention team in Kamloops has been partnering with local businesses, partner agencies, and the school district to provide substance use and overdose awareness education and overdose response and naloxone training.
“This education is extremely important in light of the toxic drug crisis that is taking the lives of so many BC residents, including school-age youths,” Mantie wrote. “We would like to thank the Kamloops-Thompson School District for supporting the efforts of our nurses.”
“Most recently, our overdose prevention nurse was asked to support a student who was giving a presentation on the opioid crisis in B.C.and was there to provide answers to questions. Naloxone kits were not distributed, although sample kits were available for demonstration as an essential tool to prevent overdose injuries and death.”
“Parental permission slips were sent home for the presentation,” Mantie added. “Interior Health has not received any complaints about the sessions, but did receive positive feedback from teachers and students.”
The BC Coroners Office noted in a recent report that there were 30 deaths of people under the age of 19 over a 12-month period.