New Rochelle High School Nurses Make Narcan Save of Student After Suspected One-Hit Vape Fentanyl OD

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (January 9, 2023) — New Rochelle Schools Superintendent Jonathan P. Raymond announced today that a student at New Rochelle High School came close to dying following what is a suspected Fentanyl overdose.

“Our nursing staff had to use Narcan to save a student who vaped what the student believed to be marijuana,” said Raymond in a statement. “The vape almost cost that student their life.”

UPDATE 1/10/22 12:20 PM: New Rochelle High School Principal Dr. Dagoberto Artiles, in an email to Faculty and Staff, provided an update on an the student who overdosed and required Narcan.

“The student was transported to Westchester Medical,” wrote Artiles. “We are happy to report that the student will be ok and is expecting to return to school as soon as possible.

“Once the student returns to school, we have put together a support plan to ensure that the reentry is smooth and stable,” he added.

Dr. Artiles thanked the nursing staff.

UPDATE 1/10/22 9:02 PM: Special Moment. NRHS Nurse Diane Vetrano Honored for Narcan Save by New Rochelle Board of Education. The Dad was there, in the hallway, sobbing, thanking her. All while Nurse Vetrano’s daughter looked on.

How Does Narcan Work?: Narcan nasal spray contains naloxone, a medication that rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.

In a letter to the New Rochelle Community Monday afternoon, Raymond wrote:

January 9, 2023

Dear New Rochelle Community,

Today marks an ominous milestone in our schools – one we had hoped would never be necessary. For the first time, our nursing staff had to use Narcan to save a student who vaped what the student believed to be marijuana. The vape almost cost that student their life. I implore you to speak with your children immediately about the dangers of vaping. It is urgent. This device is still in our community, potentially threatening the health or lives of any others who use it.

I commend our nurses at New Rochelle High School for their quick and effective response. Their actions may well have saved this student’s life. I pray that we can reach others in our community to prevent other incidences.

Our students, staff, and everyone in our community must understand that even one hit from a cartridge can be deadly. While we have not confirmed the substance that harmed our student today, we know that any vaping devices or drugs purchased on the street may – and likely do – contain the synthetic opioid fentanyl, and even the smallest dose can be lethal.

I encourage all of you to speak to your physician or pharmacist about obtaining your own Narcan prescription. Everyone is eligible to receive it, and you simply never know when you might need it to save a life.

Tonight, the Isaac E. Young Middle School Parent Teacher Association and Student Assistant Services are hosting a forum for adults 21 and over titled “Hidden in Plain Sight.”

Please do not miss this important presentation on how you can spot teen alcohol use, vaping, or other drug use. The event is at 7:00 p.m. in the IEYMS Auditorium and is open to all school district parents and guardians.

Please review some of the resources linked below. And please, please speak with your children about the dangers of street drugs and vapes. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/pdfs/ecigarette-or-vaping-products-visual-dictionary-508.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/Quick-Facts-on-the-Risks-of-E-cigarettes-for-Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults.html

New York State Office of Addiction and Support Services: 

https://oasas.ny.gov/school-district-resources?utm_medium=301&utm_source=combataddiction.ny.gov

Surgeon General: 

https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/documents/SGR_ECig_ParentTipSheet_508.pdf