Hitchcock ISD Hosts NARCAN Assembly to Raise Awareness on Fentanyl Dangers and Life-Saving Measures

HITCHCOCK, TX – On October 11, 2024, Hitchcock Independent School District (HISD) will hold an important NARCAN assembly for the entire Hitchcock High School student body. The assembly, open to the public, will take place at 9:50 a.m. in the high school gym. Visitors are welcome but must check in through the front office with a valid ID before attending.

Presented by Gulf Coast Outreach Services, whose mission is to eliminate fentanyl deaths in Galveston County, the assembly will address the growing and dangerous issue of fentanyl poisoning. “This is a real issue that needs to be discussed openly, without any stigma,” said Superintendent Travis W. Edwards. “We believe that these discussions could potentially save lives, and it’s crucial to educate our students and the community.”

Speakers at the event will include individuals who have personally experienced the devastating effects of fentanyl, including the loss of children and personal struggles with addiction. Gulf Coast Outreach Services will also provide vital information on how to access the five NARCAN kits being donated to Hitchcock ISD campuses. Attendees will learn how these life-saving kits can reverse the effects of fentanyl exposure, and they will also have the opportunity to download an app that provides the nearest location of any of the 30 NARCAN vending machines available throughout Galveston County.

Saving Lives Through NARCAN
The message of the assembly is simple: NARCAN can save lives. As quickly as fentanyl can take a life, NARCAN can reverse its effects. The assembly will provide students with life-saving information about how to recognize and respond to fentanyl poisoning and how to access NARCAN in an emergency situation. The event also serves to raise awareness in conjunction with October being declared Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month in Texas by Governor Greg Abbott. In his proclamation, Governor Abbott stated, “Fentanyl is a clandestine killer that rips away loved ones forever. Texas continues to take significant action to combat the growing fentanyl crisis that is plaguing our state and our nation.”

The assembly is being held in alignment with Tucker’s Law, passed by the Texas legislature in September 2023. House Bill 3908, or Tucker’s Law, mandates that Texas public schools provide education on suicide prevention, substance abuse, and fentanyl addiction, as well as making students aware of local resources. This assembly aligns with the law’s requirement to ensure students are educated on how to prevent, recognize, and reverse fentanyl poisoning, and how to access critical community resources in moments of need.

A Community Effort
As part of Texas’ ongoing “One Pill Kills” campaign, this assembly will dive deeper into the reality of fentanyl exposure. It emphasizes that fentanyl poisoning can happen to anyone and provides clear, actionable steps to take in the event of an emergency. Hitchcock ISD is committed to being a model for other districts by raising awareness on this important issue and ensuring our students and staff are prepared.

For more information about accessing NARCAN, please visit www.gulfcoastoutreachservices.org or download their app. NARCAN is also available through nurses, counselors, administrators, and police officers on all HISD campuses.

Media Contact:
For press inquiries, please contact Jaree Hefner, Digital Media & Marketing Specialist at Hitchcock ISD, via email at jhefner@hitchcockisd.org or by cell at 409-218-1410.