Staten Island High School Students Trained to Administer Narcan

Narcan Training for High School Students

• 💡 High school students on Staten Island are being trained to administer Narcan, a life-saving device, during health classes.
• 🎯 The initiative aims to combat the fentanyl crisis by equipping young people with the knowledge to respond to drug emergencies.

Narcan Administration and Distribution

• 🔑 Registered nurse Anthony Arpea demonstrated the proper use of the Narcan nasal spray, emphasizing its importance in the current drug landscape.
• 🎁 Every student received a free Narcan kit to take home, encouraging them to carry it at all times in backpacks or glove compartments.

Program Funding and Reach

• 💰 The program is funded by a state grant awarded to Richmond University Medical Center, covering services and products for four years.
• 📍 The hospital is prioritizing schools in zip codes with higher overdose rates before expanding its efforts.

Fentanyl Crisis and Overdose Statistics

• 📈 Staten Island reported 55 overdose deaths in 2024, a 53% decrease compared to 2016, with organizers hoping this training will further reduce the numbers.
• 💬 The educational approach is described as a marathon, not a sprint, allowing students to ask questions and connect on a personal level.
• 🎓 Over 200 students are being trained over a two-day period, with recent sessions also held at Tottenville High School.