Wakefield High School: Addressing Student Drug Safety (2024 Update)

Introduction:

Briefly acknowledge the seriousness of drug overdoses at Wakefield High School in 2023.
Mention the importance of open communication and access to resources for students and families.
State the purpose of the blog post: to provide information and support.

Define drug overdose and its potential consequences.
Briefly discuss the rise of fentanyl and its dangers in relation to student overdoses.
Emphasize the importance of not using alone and having Narcan available.

Briefly summarize the reported overdoses at Wakefield High School in 2023, without graphic details.
Focus on the school’s response, including notifying parents and potentially increased security measures.
State that there haven’t been any confirmed overdoses in 2024 (as of March 2024).

Highlight the importance of open communication between students, parents, and school counselors.
Provide resources for parents to talk to their teens about drugs, including the National Institute on Drug Abuse (https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/parents-educators) and the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids (https://drugfree.org/).
Encourage students to seek help from counselors or a trusted adult if they or someone they know is struggling with drug use.
Discuss the importance of bystander intervention and how to recognize signs of an overdose.

List resources available to students at Wakefield High School, such as counselors, student support groups, or mental health programs.
Provide contact information for local or national crisis hotlines like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) or the Crisis Text Line (Text HOME to 741741).
Mention support groups for families dealing with teen drug use.