By Laura Buchanan

A drug that can reverse the potentially lethal effects of opioid overdose will now be available for administration in area high schools.

The Hopkins County Board of Education approved Tuesday the stocking and distribution of naloxone, or Narcan, in the event a student is suffering a drug overdose.

Opioids, such as heroin and prescription painkillers, depress a user's central nervous system and respiratory function when taken in large amounts.

Narcan attaches to the same parts of the brain that receive heroin and other opioids and blocks the effects, according to Registered Nurse and School Health Coordinator Sophie French.

"Drug overdoses for both illegal drugs and prescription painkillers now account for more deaths than motor vehicle crashes in the U.S.," French said. "Between 2002 and 2013, the rate of heroin overdose deaths nearly quadrupled in the U.S., and Kentucky has the third-highest drug overdose mortality rate in the country."

Narcan is a safe and effective way to slow the effects of drug overdose while school administrators are waiting to medical personnel to arrive, she added.

"It is very easy to use," she said. "It has now been FDA-approved as a nasal spray that is not as intimidating as the injections that most schools use."

French said in the event that a student were unresponsive and showing signs of labored breathing, every action would be taken to revive the person by shouting, shaking them and administering a sternal rub.

If the student remains unresponsive, one spray of Narcan will be delivered through the nostril. If the victim does not revive within two-three minutes, another dose will be applied.

"It is so safe, you can use it every two-three minutes," she said. "Most (schools) have two (doses available) until emergency medical arrives. There are no adverse effects on those who are not experiencing an opioid overdose."

Public Health Director Denise Beach said Narcan is a much-needed addition to every school nurse's office.

"One of the reasons we are in the schools is because it's nice to give out Advil and Tylenol for a headache, but a lot of time we find a condition where we can give early intervention and treatment," she said. "This is a great opportunity for us."

French will now train and oversee the Narcan program in Hopkins County Schools.

In other business, the board:

• Heard from Hopkins County Sheriff Matt Sanderson, who introduced Deputy John Komar as school resource officer. Komar will regularly provide safety and security for the schools outside Madisonville's city limits.

• Heard from Webster County Schools Superintendent Rachel Yarbrough, who gave a presentation on the utilization of regular working sessions in lieu of two board meetings per month. A working session is a regular, open meeting where no action is taken. Yarbrough said it is a more efficient way for the board to discuss information regarding items on the agenda before an official board meeting. The board will further discuss the matter.

• Heard from Assistant Superintendent Charles Gant, who reminded residents that 13 open positions exist in the district and bus drivers are always needed. Furthermore, Gant reported current school enrollments are as follows: 3,246 students in elementary schools, 1,519 students in middle schools, 913 students at Hopkins County Central High School, 1,079 students at Madisonville-North Hopkins High School and 520 students at the Hopkins County Career and Technology Center, for a total of 6,773 students in the district.

• Recognized driver trainers Keith Harris, Jonna Rickard, Chris Frances, Carol McClendon-Shepherd, Gerri Hosman, Rick Hovis and Justin Creekmur for receiving "Outstanding Training Department" at the Transportation Association of Kentucky's June convention.

• Recognized Hopkins County Schools employees James Earl, Valerie Hill, Cindy Fitch, Jesse Huff, Janette Jessup, Bonnie Kington, Lydia Melton, Tonda Rodgers and Michael Quinn as 2015-2016 retirees.

• Welcomed Barry Nelson as the incoming principal of Hopkins County Academy and Laura James as director of pupil personnel.

• Approved minutes, bills and salaries.

• Approved leaves of absences, out of district/overnight trips and school activity fundraisers.

• Approved to declare outdated school books as surplus to be sold by the district.

• Approved to declare old monitors and keyboards as surplus to be donated to the Earlington Elementary and South Hopkins Middle schools' family resource centers.

• Approved Super Sealers as a maintenance contract vendor for the 2016-2017 school year.

• Approved the Delta Dental of Kentucky Contract renewal for the 2016-2017 school year. There will be no rate change from the previous contract.

• Approved an agreement with Audubon Area Community Services (Head Start) to coordinate services to eligible children through state and federal funds.

• Approved a memorandum of understanding for visually-impaired services with Dawson Springs Independent and Muhlenberg County schools for the 2016-2017 school year.

• Approved the 2015-2016 unaudited annual financial report.

• Approved personnel changes.

• Announced the next board meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at the central office.