Oregon City School Board approves Narcan in schools

OREGON CITY, Ore. — The Oregon City School Board approved naloxone in its schools, making sure the life-saving nasal spray can help someone if they are potentially overdosing on an opioid.

With the approval, anyone within the schools can be trained to use naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, if they would like to.

The reality of overdoses is becoming more prevalent, even within the local community.

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It's a loss no parent wants to imagine.

“I remember just being so numb and not able to make decisions, you know, and they're telling you to pick out a burial plot and they're telling you to pick out a headstone and you're just trying to grasp what just happened,” Michele Stroh, whose son died of an overdose in July of 2020.

Now two years later, she's hoping to prevent it from happening to other families.

“If I can just save one other family from this, then I've done my job,” Stroh said.

Stroh is a member of the Oregon City School Board, and part of Monday night's unanimous vote to have Narcan in schools. She drew support from every member, but just a few months ago they were hesitant.

“I know this is a consistent theme we are hearing daily; this is a crisis. And I appreciate the joint effort,” Stroh said.

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With the addition of Narcan, there will also be education and training for anybody who wishes to be certified.

KATU's Kellee Azar asked on Twitter if people think Narcan should be available in schools. The results were clear, with 90 percent voting yes.

“I hope and pray. We never have to use it. That's my goal,” Stohl said.