DUBLIN, Ga. — Claire Bonnell is alumni of Promise of Hope. The 12-month program helps people overcome their addictions through faith.
Bonnell came to the nonprofit in 2017. That same year the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the nation was in an opioid crisis. During her addiction, Bonnell used fentanyl.
“I was on a pathway to death," Bonnell said.
Bonnell’s addiction could have been the end several times.
“I’ve overdosed four times.” Bonnell said.
She remembered that Narcan was able to bring her back twice.
"If it hadn’t been for that, I wouldn’t be here," Bonnell said.
Bonnell escaped being part of the 80,000 people that were killed by opioids in 2021 according to the CDC.
Georgia Senators want to use Bill 395 to protect students and staff in public schools by authorizing them to stock up on opioid reversal drugs like Narcan.
Here at Dublin High School you can find Narcan in the nurses office or in one of the defibrillator boxes around the school. Dawn Samson said they feel prepared if something happens.
"Minutes make a big difference. Second, minutes so you know we certainly don’t want to need it on the football field or over in the field house if there’s only one here, so we have one pretty much on every hall," Samson said.
Samson is the nurse at Dublin High School. She said having Narcan on campus is necessary with the rise in fentanyl overdoses.
“It’s a matter of life or death really because with fentanyl overdoses people are going to stop breathing and it reverses the effect of that," Samson said.
Trini Stevenson is the nurse at Susie Dasher Elementary School. She said fentanyl can come in different shapes and sizes.
"It’s hard to determine that it’s dangerous and so you just never know who is going to be exposed to it and when an emergency might arise," Stevenson said.
Stevenson said the nurses look out for student, staff, and visitors.
She believes Dublin’s school system is proactive and prepared if the time comes.
"I feel like Dublin city is way ahead of the game and that we are well prepared for an emergency," Stevenson said.
The nurses said if they suspect an overdose, they don't hesitate to give Narcan because there are no documented side effects of the drug.