September 30, 2022

Dear KUSD Families,

Opioid abuse continues to be a problem in communities throughout California, and Kern County and our valley is no exception. Fentanyl and most recently Rainbow Fentanyl abuse is on the rise. Rainbow fentanyl is a brightly colored fentanyl that can be found in many forms, including pills, powder, and blocks that can resemble sidewalk chalk or candy. Any pill (regardless of its color, shape, or size) that does not come from a health care provider or pharmacist can contain fentanyl and can be deadly.

Fentanyl is extremely potent and it only takes a very small dose, 2 milligrams about the size of the tip of a pencil, to be lethal. Please speak with your children about the dangers of fentanyl and ingesting any medication not prescribed to them by their doctor and given to them by a trusted family member or adult. As we enter October and the Halloween season, please remind your children not to eat any unwrapped or unpackaged candy.

The Kernville Union School District is in the process of obtaining Naloxone Hydrochloride (Narcan) and has policy to administer Naloxone Hydrochloride (Narcan) for emergency medical aid to any person suffering from an opioid overdose. KUSD has trained staff and will train staff members to administer Naloxone Hydrochloride (Narcan) in the case of an emergency.

To keep our students safe, we are reminding students not to ingest any medications unless they are given to them by their parents, trusted family member, or a known and trusted adult; and not to eat any unwrapped or unpackaged candies at school. During Red Ribbon Week in October, our middle school students will learn about the dangers and consequences of fentanyl.

Please click on or cut and paste this link to learn for more about Fentanyl and fake pills:

https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/DEA-OPCK_Parent%20flyer.pdf 

For more information about Fentanyl:

 https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/pdf/Fentanyl_Fact_Sheet_508c.pdf

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/Pages/Fentanyl.aspx#

Dr. Steve Martinez,
Superintendent