Overdose kits given to schools

Overdose kits given to schools

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Attorney General Lynn Fitch donated nine overdose kits to help Madison County schools stay prepared.

The AG’s Office delivered the kits to the Madison County School District central office for use in high schools.

MCSD Director of Communications Gene Graham said the kits contained a variety of emergency medical supplies, including those to combat illegal drugs. The school nurses will keep these materials on hand to supplement their educational efforts, and in case of unforeseen emergencies, Graham said. 

“While we certainly hope never to use these emergency supplies for anything other than education, we know it is important that public buildings all over our community be prepared with all kinds of resources that can save lives,” Graham said. “We are fortunate to have numerous health education resources to make sure our students are well-informed about the dangers of illegal drugs and the importance of healthy lifestyles, and we welcome the Attorney General’s donation as part of that educational effort.”

Madison County School District Superintendent Ted Poore said It is “so important” to educate people about the dangers of illegal substances.

“Students who grow up empowered with knowledge to avoid drugs of any kind are prepared to make healthy choices for a brighter future,“ Poore said. “We appreciate the Attorney General’s commitment to spreading the word about the dangers of drug use,” 

Fitch’s office began rolling out the emergency boxes in September. These boxes can be mounted in public places and include naloxone and other tools needed to prevent a deadly overdose. The Emergency Overdose Boxes were developed in coordination with Harbor Path, a nonprofit dedicated to putting naloxone within arm's reach of anyone who needs it. Fitch currently has plans to distribute 700 Emergency Overdose Boxes across the State.

“Counterfeit pills are increasingly common, and too many Mississippians have lost their lives to counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl. It will take partnership and collaboration to fight this fentanyl epidemic,” Fitch said. “I am excited to provide my Emergency Overdose Boxes to partners across the State to ensure that everyone has access to life-saving tools in order to prevent an overdose.”

The boxes issued to the school district were just a number of the boxes issued earlier this month to partners across the Jackson Metro area as part of her One Pill Can Kill campaign, a public awareness initiative to educate, support, and empower Mississippians with information on the dangers of fentanyl, how to identify it, and what to do if someone is overdosing, Fitch’s office said. 

“Fentanyl and counterfeit pills are becoming more prevalent every day, putting our officers and first responders at risk of accidental exposure. We are deeply grateful to Attorney General Fitch and her team for providing these emergency overdose boxes, which will help protect our officers as they tirelessly work to keep our communities safe,” said Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell. 

These partners include Madison County School District, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Stewpot Community Services, Capitol Police Department, City of Pearl and City of Pearl Fire Department, City of Brandon, and Region 8 Mental Health Services.






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