Local parents raise concerns over fentanyl in schools
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — There’s a new and growing concern for El Paso parents who tell KTSM there have been incidents of fentanyl poisoning at their children’s schools within the past two weeks.
Those parents were frustrated over the lack of transparency from a local school district about reporting the presence of the highly lethal drug on two of its campuses.
The parents claim there have been several incidents where students poisoned on fentanyl during school hours at two El Paso Independent School District campuses. They say if their children hadn’t told them about the events, they would have never known since the district itself gave no notice.
In a statement to KTSM, El Paso ISD said in part:
“El Paso ISD is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students within our schools. While we cannot discuss specific cases or student medical situations, we can assure the community that student safety is our top priority. We continually work with law enforcement and partner agencies to address substance abuse issues within our schools and the wider community.”
According to El Paso ISD, nursing staff and El Paso ISD Police Service officers are trained to respond to medical emergencies but would not comment on specific medical interventions.
The El Paso ISD 2023-24 Student Handbook also has a section for “unassigned opioid antagonists”:
“In accordance with Chapter 38, Subchapter E of the Education Code, the board has adopted a
policy to allow authorized and trained school personnel at each campus to administer an opioid antagonist, such as Narcan or Naloxone, to an individual who is reasonably believed to be experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose. One or more authorized and trained individuals will be present on each campus subject to this policy during regular school hours.”
Local parents’ concerns come at a time when the El Paso community is experiencing an increase in street drugs showing traces of fentanyl laced in the products.
“A lot of products that people think aren’t fentanyl, still have fentanyl, and people might still end up overdosing accidentally and even dying accidentally. Fentanyl has been found in products including like Xanax or Alprazolam, like benzos that you might buy off the street,” said Dr. Sarah Watkins, medical director of West Texas Regional Poison Center.
Dr. Watkins said fentanyl is used recreationally for its euphoric effects but is incredibly dangerous given how addictive the substance is and how the smallest amount can prove lethal.
“It only takes a very tiny amount to cause its effects. Because it’s so potent, because it only takes that tiny amount to have an effect, it’s really easy to accidentally overdose on it when you don’t even mean to. But unfortunately, we have seen times where people are trying to get high, but they end up dying just from a very small amount,” said Dr. Watkins.
She said while substances like fentanyl are dangerous to anyone, it’s especially dangerous for children who can suffer life-altering impacts like overdose.
“The risk is that it makes you stop breathing. And if you’re not breathing, of course you don’t get oxygen to your brain and so even if someone gets saved, their life gets saved by using naloxone to reverse the overdose, it all depends on how long their brain went without oxygen for if they’re going to have any long-lasting effects,” said Dr. Watkins.
Her advice is for the public to educate themselves on the dangers involved in taking drugs and the life-saving measures involved should someone overdose.
“It would be beneficial for schools and public areas where there are a lot of people to have access to naloxone, or the brand is Narcan. It’s just because it’s so prevalent these days, fentanyl is, you don’t know when you’re going to encounter someone who has overdosed. So, if you have access to naloxone, you could save someone’s life,” said Dr. Watkins.
According to El Paso ISD, parents can communicate any concerns regarding their child’s well-being with school administrators or counselors.
The district’s police dispatch is also available at (915) 230-2525.
For anyone struggling with substance abuse in the Borderland, resources for treatment and assessments can be found through Emergence Health Network.
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