Children trained to use overdose reversal drug
Jennifer Punkin-Stepp's son is a herion addict and her younger daughter wanted to be able to help him should he overdose. Jennifer decided to teach a class in administering naloxone... to kids. She teaches children 8 and up so that they may save a life someday. She believes that children aren't jaded and believe addicts deserve to be rescued, therefore the kids should have the ability to help.
This is a good idea and makes you realize how harmful the stigma around addiction is. The mother describes how there are many people who think that just because someone is addicted to a drug, they don't deserve to be treated. This relates to how in the past when people had mental illnesses and intellectual disabilities , everyone would just blame the devil and condemn the person afflicted. However, Dorothea Dix fought to have a better public understanding of mental issues.
This is unbelievable that this needs to even be taught to such young kids. I really think this could effect them mentally, long-term. Having to experience this as kids could do lots of damage.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great new idea being introduced because this is a growing problem for teens and young adults all over the United States. Many kids don't know the harmful effects of overdosing and just do it to be cool. If we teach kids at a young age, that could significantly reduce the problem.
ReplyDelete-Julianne Swaykus 6
I think that it is great to imprint such a thoughtful and caring idea into the minds of the young kids. How often these kids will ever experience depends on their life, and one could argue that it is too early to be teaching them something this important. If the kids grow up and are not able to remember the proper steps what is the point?
ReplyDeleteBrenna Hale(6th Period)
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's not the addicts fault that they become addicted to a drug, but I agree they deserve to be rescued because they could change the world someday. That's a little corny, but they could have a chance at a better life.
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ReplyDeleteI think it is important for people to know how to help someone if they overdose, because I believed they should be saved. However, I think 8 is too young to start teaching that, because that is very dense subject matter to teach a child about. --Claudia Anthony
ReplyDelete