Easton High School’s Talbot Goes Purple student club last week received Narcan training from the Talbot County Health Department Prevention Office.
As part of Talbot Goes Purple, Easton and St. Michaels High Schools have clubs comprised of students who have pledged to take a stand against substance abuse. The student-focused clubs help the kids learn they don’t need drugs or alcohol to meet life’s challenges.
The clubs also help students learn about the signs and symptoms of drug use and what to do if a friend needs help. Last week’s Narcan training included information on how to spot the signs of an overdose and what to do, including how to administer rescue breaths and how to put a person into the ‘recovery position.’ Students in the St. Michaels High School Talbot Goes Purple Club also are getting Narcan trained in January.
“Overdose deaths are now the leading cause of death in our youth,” said Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble. “We’re doing everything we can to fight this epidemic — training our students empowers them to join the fight against overdose deaths in our communities.”
Commonly sold under the brand name Narcan, Naloxone is a life-saving medication that reverses an opioid overdose yet has no abuse potential. It is easy to use is and is available over-the-counter without a prescription.
This year’s Start Talking Maryland Act mandated that all public schools provide prevention education and stock Narcan; Talbot County Public Schools is the first in the region – possibly the state – to train high school students.
“While we hope our students are never in a situation in which they have to administer Narcan, we are grateful that they are able to be trained on how to do so properly.” said Kirk Howie, Easton High Principal. “We are proud of the students in Our TGP Club for taking such an active role in fighting the opioid epidemic.”
The clubs started in September, after student ambassadors represented Talbot Goes Purple at several events during the summer. Since school started, the students have taken more than 15 school games purple, have hosted several educational speakers and are working on fun contests for the upcoming National ‘Purple Week’ in January.
An initiative from the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office and Tidewater Rotary, in partnership with Talbot County Public Schools, Talbot Goes Purple empowers our youth and our community to ‘Go Purple’ as a sign of taking a stand against substance abuse.
Talbot Goes Purple is based upon THP Project Purple, an initiative of the Herren Project that helps people struggling with drug dependencies. Former NBA player Chris Herren founded both projects after speaking to a high school about his struggles with drug dependency.
Kirsten Moore, community health educator with the Talbot County Health Department Prevention Office, provided the training for the students. Moore and Alexandra Duff, prevention supervisor with the TCHD prevention office, have trained more than 650 people in Talbot County since July.
For more information on Narcan or to get trained, visit www.TalbotsGotHeart.org or call the Talbot County Health Department at 410-819-5600.
More information on Talbot Goes Purple is available at www.talbotgoespurple.org. Find us on Facebook @TalbotGoesPurple or contact us at [email protected].
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