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Durango schools plan to stock EpiPens

Extreme allergic reactions can be life-threatening

After two students had an extreme allergic reaction and school officials had to borrow EpiPens from other students, Durango School District 9-R is planning to change its policy and stock EpiPens in all school health offices.

“In those cases, one allergy was not known to the school or even, in the other case, to the family,” said Jackie Oros, executive director of student support services, at Tuesday evening’s school board meeting.

During an anaphylactic-shock episode, which is the most extreme type of allergic reaction, a person’s airways can swell shut. It can be fatal. The most common anaphylactic reactions are to foods, insect stings, medications and latex, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

The Colorado Legislature approved allowing school nurses and health centers to stock and administer the drug in the pens, epinephrine, two years ago, Oros said, but 9-R decided there was not enough research available to merit changing the district’s policy. These two incidents showed the need was there.

The district will get the pens at no charge through the EpiPen4Schools program. Local allergy and immunology specialist Dr. Donald Cooke has agreed to write the standing orders for the pens, Superintendent Dan Snowberger said.

There is no significant health risk to administering epinephrine during an extreme allergic reaction, Oros told the board.

In the past few months, many Colorado school districts have reviewed their medical marijuana policies after the Legislature passed “Jack’s Law,” which allows school districts to write policies about where on campus medical cannabis can be used. District 9-R currently has a policy that medical marijuana is not allowed on district property, in or on district vehicles or on school- or district-sponsored trips.

“I am not bringing forth a change to the medical marijuana policy at this time,” Oros said at the meeting.

Tuesday’s look at the revised policy on EpiPens was considered the first reading. The board will vote on it at its next meeting Aug. 31.

abutler@durangoherald.com

Medication poliy (PDF)

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