Hitchcock ISD Becomes First District in Galveston County to Provide Narcan to Students

The Hitchcock Independent School District (HISD) has made history by being the first school district in Galveston County to provide children with access to Narcan. This is a significant step in the direction of addressing the fentanyl issue. At Hitchcock High School on October 11, 2024, the Hitchcock Independent School District (HISD) held an important assembly that focused on the risks associated with fentanyl and the preventative steps that can be performed in the event of an emergency.

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Gulf Coast Outreach Services was the organization that planned the event, which was to take place in the high school gym at 9:50 a.m., with the intention of encouraging open conversations about fentanyl toxicity, which is a major topic that is hurting communities all over the state of Texas. The Superintendent of Schools, Travis W. Edwards, stressed the significance of these conversations by saying, "This is a real issue that needs to be discussed openly, without any stigma." We are of the opinion that these conversations have the potential to save precious lives.

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Participants in the assembly were given the opportunity to learn how to acquire five Narcan kits that had been donated to HISD campuses and to hear first-hand testimonies from persons who had been affected by fentanyl. During the session, attendees were also given information on how to download an application that would allow them to locate Narcan selling machines located around Galveston County.

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The assembly provided as an important platform for educating kids on how to recognize and respond to fentanyl overdose. This was done in accordance with Governor Greg Abbott's declaration that October is Fentanyl overdose Awareness Month. This particular project is in accordance with Tucker's Law, which demands that schools in the state of Texas provide instruction on substance misuse and local resources. The actions of the High Island School District (HISD) position the district as a leader in the fight against this critical public health disaster. These activities are part of the state's "One Pill Kills" campaign.

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