WESTBROOK, Maine — More than a dozen school districts across the state have brought Narcan into school buildings to help save the lives of not only students but community members in case of an overdose.
Recently Westbrook distributed 10 opioid overdose emergency toolkits called "ONEboxes" throughout the city, including the middle and high school, which puts the opioid overdose reversal drug into the hands of students for the very first time.
It's one of the first things students see when they walk through the doors of Westbrook High School.
"Coming into the school I think it's very important to have it here like the AED box," Westbrook Senior, Nora Roberson said.
The new lifesaving tool ONEbox is located next to the AED defibrillator box — to guide bystanders on how to respond to an overdose.
The ONEbox is an emergency opioid overdose reversal kit with two doses of Narcan. The device plays a video with step-by-step instructions on how to give the opioid overdose reversal drug.
Roberson felt she would know what to do if someone was overdosing nearby.
"It's not like — here is some Narcan. It walks you through and tells you how to safely execute it," Roberson explained.
Westbrook Partners for Prevention Program Director Janet Lewin said Westbrook is the first city in Maine to add any sort of naloxone first aid device.
"The opioid epidemic hasn't slowed down, so it's just another tool in our toolbox to respond to that," Lewin said.
The devices also have personal protection equipment, and are located at the Westbrook Regional Vocational Center, Westbrook Performing Arts Center, Westbrook Memorial Library, and Westbrook City Hall. ONEboxes have also been placed in the First Baptist Church, the Westbrook Warren Congregational Church, the Westbrook Community Center, and the Super 8 Motel. Staff at all of the locations have also been trained to save lives.
Nurses, school resource officers, and administrators have already had access to Narcan. Westbrook Superintendent Peter Lancia, P.h. D. said the district hasn't had any reports of overdose cases in recent years, but feels it's vital to make the lifesaving devices available for the public, who attend basketball games and other events in school buildings.
"How we can prevent tragedy, how we can support people in a variety of ways — I think it will become the norm," Lancia explained.
Each ONEbox costs $199 and was purchased by the Westbrook Partners for Prevention and the City of Westbrook, using Opioid Settlement Funds.