Every public and private high school in Monmouth County will get supplies of the anti-overdose drug Narcan.

Narcan
Dino Flammia, Townsquare Media NJ
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There have been no overdoses reported in any of the schools, but as the heroin epidemic continues to wreak havoc across the state, officials say they don't want to risk any chances.

Narcan is being credited with saving over a thousand lives in Monmouth County alone.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni says having Narcan in the schools will be a critical life-saving measure in the event it is needed.

"We have not had a drug overdose death at any school in Monmouth County, but with that said, one never knows whether an overdose could occur at or near a school," said Gramiccioni. "Having additional trained staff to administer naloxone, if necessary, can save a life."

In the state of New Jersey there have been almost 10,000 deployments of naloxone in the last three years.

"This training is precautionary, but a necessary safeguard in light of the scope of this epidemic," said Gramiccioni. "I hope schools never have to use these kits, but we want them to be prepared."

Victor Almeida, director of the Emergency Department at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, was responsible for instructing school officials on the depth of the epidemic and provided training for the use of naloxone.

"The latest reports from drug abuse experts indicate our young people are at the greatest risk for drug addiction," said Monmouth County Chief of Detectives Michael Pasterchick. "We can't ignore the fact that kids are using and abusing drugs and dying at alarming rates. We must battle this deadly addiction, and these naloxone kits will help fight the fight."

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