Edina Public Schools (EPS) Interim Superintendent Dr. Daniel Bittman sent a parent notice on Oct. 14 regarding changes allowing students to carry the opioid antagonist naloxone. Since Oct. 13, when the school board revised policy 516.5, Edina High School (EHS) students have been allowed to self-carry and administer naloxone. EHS is the first MN school to implement this change. Naloxone is a quick-acting medicine that reverses opioid overdoses, commonly sold under the brand name Narcan.
These changes followed the passage of 2025 Minnesota Statute 121A.224. EPS took steps to prepare the Edina community by hosting a Safety Community Forum on Nov. 19 and answering frequently-asked questions concerning naloxone in the notice. According to the notice, the policy was not motivated by a singular incident, and naloxone is safe to use and available at pharmacies without a prescription needed.
Edina High School Chemical Health Coordinator Candi Davenport said that the changes were “exciting” and “groundbreaking.” As a contracted employee, Davenport is only at EHS for two days of the week, but during those days, Davenport said that she hadn’t seen many if any incidents requiring a large shift in the school policy.
“This is a big step within the state,” Davenport said. “It has a huge impact… and I hope other cities and schools see Edina as leaders.”
The EHS Health Services office also feels that the naloxone changes are for the better.
“I think [the change] is great,” licensed school nurse Jennie Leeson said. “We’re leaders in education; we can be leaders in saving lives too.”
While Leeson is excited about the changes, they also want to emphasize the importance of correct use of naloxone.
“If a student here on the grounds uses Narcan, make sure you then get help,” they said. “Have somebody come right away because there may be some follow up care that needs to be given.”
