ROBESON COUNTY — The Public Schools of Robeson County recently added an extra layer of safety measures to campuses across the district including training to ensure that personnel are equipped to respond in the event of an emergency.
The district has now made available Narcan (also known as Naloxone) at its schools. Narcan is a lifesaving medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose.
PSRC Health Services Supervisor Jan Newman said designated school staff members have received professional training to safely administer Narcan and respond with critical, life-saving measures in an emergency. The training complements safety protocols already in place at PSRC schools.
“In recent years, communities across the country have seen a rise in opioid-related emergencies, and we believe in being prepared to respond and provide care in any situation,” Newman said.
Robeson County is one of many counties across the state and nation experiencing high volumes of overdose emergency department visits, according to recent data.
“The Overdose ED Visit rate in Robeson was 225.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, representing 265.0 ED visits for an overdose,” according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
The decision to include the administration of Narcan at the school level is a proactive measure to ensure safe schools.
“We hope it’s never needed, but we’re ready if it is. I thank our dedicated staff and school health professionals for taking this proactive step to safeguard our school community. Together, we are building safer schools for everyone,” she added.
PSRC Superintendent Dr. Freddie Williamson also thanked Newman for her leadership in steering the work to add an extra layer of safety to PSRC school campuses.
“Thank you, Ms. Newman, for your diligence and commitment to this work. We pray we will never have to use the medication, but we want our families to know we stand ready to respond in the event of an emergency,” Williamson said.
