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The Push For Heroin Overdose Drugs In Md. Schools

BALTIMORE (WJZ) --  To help fight Maryland's heroine epidemic, schools will soon be stocking up on a critical overdose drug, training staff to use it if necessary.

The life-saving drug naloxone is already in 125 of Anne Arundel County's schools, and now there's a big push to get it in every school in Maryland.

Overdose deaths are on the rise in Maryland, as a new report shows 920 people have already died this year, 50 percent jump from the same period in 2015.

And the victims are getting even younger.

"I have been to far too many funerals since I've been working in this school because of heroin overdoses," said Sue Comly, Southern High School nurse.

In an effort to combat our state's heroin crisis, schools have already started stocking their shelves with the opioid overdose antidote, naloxone.

"I didn't want to wait for a child to die before I put it in the schools wanted to be proactive and get it there ahead of time," said Karen Siska-Creel, Anne Arundel County Director of Nursing.

Just ten days after implementing the program in Anne Arundel County, a nurse used naloxone to save a student from overdosing.

"One life was saved and that's tremendous," Comly said.

In addition to the life saving drugs, schools have also ramped up their substance abuse education focusing on heroin abuse.

"Our program is all about preserving and protecting and the health of every child and their families," said Karen Siska-Creel, Anne Arundel County Director of Nursing.

Naloxone is available  outside the classroom as well, nearly 35,000 people have been trained in Maryland, and schools are starting to follow Anne Arundel County's lead, including Baltimore County Public Schools.

"If we never use it great, but it's there and if we need it we know where to get it," said Comly.

The nurses in Anne Arundel County are currently trained to administer the drug and officials are working to train other school employees as well.

Howard County and Baltimore City Schools are working to implement the policy.

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