The Board may acquire opioid antagonists and make them available to personnel who are trained by the SD Department of Health (SD DOH) or equivalent to possess and administer the medication for opioid overdose situation in accordance with state law and administrative rules.

Before school personnel may administer an opioid antagonist in the event of a suspected opioid overdose, training must be provided by an individual qualified to do so.

The training must include:

1. Signs and symptoms of an opiate overdose;

2. Protocols and procedures for administration of an opioid antagonist;

3. Signs and symptoms of adverse responses to an opioid antagonist;

4. Protocols and procedures to stabilize the patient if an adverse response occurs;

5. Procedures for transporting, storing, and securing an opioid antagonist.

6. Opioid antagonist duration;

7. The protocols and procedures for monitoring the suspected opioid overdose victim and re-administration of opioid antagonist if necessary for the safety and security of the suspected overdose victim; and

8. The method of opioid antagonist administration being taught.

Any school personnel who will have access to the medication and who may administer the medication must receive the required training. Training provided by the SD DOH is at no cost to the District. Training is not required for school personnel who will not have access to the medication or who will not potentially be administering the medication.

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that comes in either an injectable form or a nasal spray. The medication provided to the schools through the SD DOH will be the nasal spray, and therefore, the SD DOH training will focus exclusively on the nasal spray. The cost of the medication provided by or through the SD DOH will be at no cost to the District. All opioid antagonists must be stored in a locked medicine cabinet, managed by the school nurse or school personnel trained in administration of opioid antagonists or administration of medication.

A standing order by a physician is required for the District to possess the medication. The SD DOH has identified a contract physician who will provide the standing order for the District.

Because opioid antagonists are used in opioid overdose emergency situations, prior parental consent is not required before administration of an opioid antagonist.* Emergency medical services and the parents or guardians will be contacted immediately following the administration of an opioid antagonist.

The District will report naloxone use to the SD DOH on a form developed by SD DOH.

Pursuant to state law, no school district, administrator, school board member, school nurse, or designated school personnel possessing or making available opioid antagonists in accordance with state law, and no health care professional providing training in relation thereto, may be held liable for any injury or related damage that results from the administration of, the self-administration of, or the failure to administer an opioid antagonist, if such action or inaction constitutes, ordinary negligence. This immunity does not apply to an act or omission constituting gross, willful, or wanton negligence. The administration of an opioid antagonist does not constitute the practice of medicine. The immunity provided pursuant to SDCL 13-34A-24 is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other immunity provided by law.

NOTES: Adapt Pharma, the company that manufactures Narcan (a brand name of naloxone), has offered to all South Dakota high schools an initial supply (two doses) of the medication free-of-charge. The SD DOH has also committed to re-supplying the medication free-of-charge when necessary as long as DOH has the medication available in their stockpile.

* SDCL 20-9-4.1. Immunity from liability for emergency care–Exception. No peace officer, conservation officer, member of any fire department, police department and their first aid, rescue or emergency squad, or any citizen acting as such as a volunteer, or any other person is liable for any civil damages as a result of their acts of commission or omission arising out of and in the course of their rendering in good faith, any emergency care and services during an emergency which is in their judgment indicated and necessary at the time. Such relief from liability for civil damages extends to the operation of any motor vehicle in connection with any such care or services. Nothing in this section grants any relief to any person causing any damage by his willful, wanton or reckless act of commission or omission.