As school officials remain concerned about fentanyl overdoses among youth, a second forum for families was held Saturday at Northwood High School.
According to data previously shared by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), 11 youths under the age of 21 died from opioid overdose in 2022, a 120% increase since 2021, when there were five fatal overdoses. Overall, there was a 78% increase in fatal and non-fatal overdoses among youths from 2021 to 2022.
The forum was hosted by MCPS and Montgomery Goes Purple. Last month, the first family forum on fentanyl was held at Clarksburg High School.
Schools are implementing measures to enhance security, including increased visual monitoring and checks of bathrooms throughout the school day and installation of exterior latches in secondary school bathrooms to make sure doors stay open.
The event included breakout sessions for parents and students and a demonstration of Narcan, a medicine that counteracts an opioid overdose.
MCPS fentanyl family forum event at Northwood HS. @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/1v6JKK3417
— Maryam Shahzad (@maryam_mcm) February 25, 2023
