TDSB approves plan to stock naloxone kits in high schools

The Toronto District School Board has approved a plan to put naloxone in all of its high schools and alternative schools.

Ryan Bird, spokesperson for theTDSB, toldCBCTorontothere hasn't been a situation where analoxonekit was needed, but the board is taking the step asa precaution.

"We haveEpiPensin our school for severe allergies, and they're there just in case," Bird said."It's the same with these kits."

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On Wednesday night, school board trustees agreed to receive a report that outlined theTDSB'splan to combat the growingopioidcrisis.The school board will be training about three staff members per school on the use ofnaloxoneand the nasal sprayversion of the drug, which is supplied in the kit.

Training is expected to begin before March Break, and be complete bythe end of April. Naloxonekits will be distributed to the schoolsonce the training is done.

The kits are expected to cost the TDSB between $16,000-$20,000, and the board plansto provide approximately 110 schools with one kit each.

"There is a nominal cost to this, which the TDSB will be paying, but we do think it's an investmentpotentially saving a life down the road," Bird said.

He adds thatthe plan is part of a larger conversation theTDSBhas had with Toronto Public Health.

"Obviously, we hope to never have to use them," Bird said."But it's there for a precaution should the need ever arise."

"Should something happen inside of our schools, we need something that can help save a life."