By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Catholic school division hosting fentanyl information sessions

Feb 27, 2018 | 10:59 PM

Highly dangerous and unpredictably lethal, fentanyl can affect all demographics, including youth.
 
For this reason, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools is hosting a pair of information sessions geared towards educating parents on the misuse of fentanyl.

Dave Khatib, Associate Superintendent of Inclusive Learning says while parents are the target audience, the idea is to create an overall safer community.

“If we can create awareness of the potential dangers, we’re not only helping the students and families of Red Deer Catholic, but of the communities in Sylvan Lake and Red Deer,” he says.

The first session is March 15 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at École Mother Teresa School in Sylvan Lake. The second is March 26 from 7-8 p.m. at Ecole Secoindaire Notre Dame High School in Red Deer. Both will feature information not only from the school district, but also Turning Point and RCMP.

A similar session held on short notice in January drew more than 75 parents.

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Currently, Khatib says RDCRS middle and high schools have access to naloxone, which is designed to disrupt a fentanyl overdose. School administrators and counsellors also trained on how to recognize when someone is potentially experiencing an overdose.

“We try to equip our administrators and counsellors with the ability to recognize if a student were coming to school under the influence, and to help families that might be suffering through this addiction process,” he says. “We’re not only trying to make a global statement through these community information sessions, but we also want to work one-on-one with families and with students that are in the midst of possible addiction issues.”

Khatib says all are welcome to the sessions, not just parents of Red Deer Catholic students.