IUSD is engaging in empowering activities centered around this week’s Red Ribbon Week theme, "Be Kind To Your Mind. Live Drug Free." While the focus is on promoting mental health and well-being, IUSD is joining state health officials and school districts across the state to take a proactive approach to address a growing concern—the emergence of brightly colored "rainbow fentanyl."
Rainbow fentanyl is a substance disguised in various forms like candy, sidewalk chalk and powders that can pose a threat to children and teens. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl is roughly 50 times stronger than heroin and about 100 times more powerful than morphine. One pill can have fatal consequences, and many fentanyl victims may not even be aware they are consuming the drug.
IUSD's Proactive Measures
- Naloxone Availability: IUSD passed a Board Policy and Administrative Regulation, ensuring naloxone (Narcan) is accessible at all IUSD schools, which effectively counters opioid overdoses, including those induced by fentanyl.
- Comprehensive Training: Staff members are equipped with comprehensive training to respond adeptly to suspected opioid overdoses and to administer naloxone.
- Encouraging Outreach: IUSD encourages students struggling with substance abuse or aware of someone in need to seek support from teachers, school nurses, mental health staff, principals and other trusted adults on campus.
- Resource Hub: The IUSD Prevention and Intervention webpage functions as a valuable resource, providing substance abuse resources, information about the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System and Care Solace—an online platform connecting individuals with local mental health programs and counseling services—and IUSD’s Irvine Parent Education Program.
Resources for Parents
For parents seeking guidance on age-appropriate conversations about substance abuse, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s "Talk. They Hear You." webpage and the National Institutes of Health - National Institute on Drug Abuse are helpful resources. These resources emphasize the importance of proactive discussions before children are exposed to drugs and alcohol.
As Red Ribbon Week unfolds, IUSD stands together against substance abuse, promoting not only mental health awareness but also actively keeping our community informed about topics such as rainbow fentanyl. Through education, community involvement and proactive measures, the District aims to create a safe and drug-free environment for all its students