The high school has had the drug, known as Narcan which can block the effects of an overdose, for about a year.
In the nurse's office at one of the largest high schools in Bergen County, you'll find standard bandages, an EpiPen for severe allergic reactions and a life-saving drug for heroin overdoses.
Ridgewood Public Schools is discussing a policy to spell out how it would administer the drug to students. But it's really a formality, said Superintendent Dan Fishbein.
The high school has had the drug, known as Narcan, which can block the effects of an overdose, for about a year, Fishbein estimated.
"We have it as part of our standing medical orders that our school physician updates and provides for us every year," Fishbein said. "The benefits are the same as an EpiPen, that if there is someone in need of this medical therapy, we have it available."
The school obtains the substance through The Valley Hospital, Fishebein said.
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Ocean County, which leads in the state in the number of overdose deaths, was the first county last year to stock its high schools' nurse's offices with the life-saving drug.
In Bergen County, law enforcement agencies began learning how to administer Narcan in 2014.
Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir Grewal said he'd be interested in exploring putting the drug in schools, though he said the county's issue with opioids is not as severe as in Ocean County.
There have been no overdose deaths in Bergen's schools, he said.
"Given the scope of the problem, just because it hasn't happened doesn't mean it's not going to happen. I think it's only a matter of time before it does happen in the school system," Grewal said. "I'd rather be prepared for that eventuality."
Grewal said the county will "shatter" the number of deaths this year compared to last if the overdose trend continues. So far this year, there have been five reported overdose fatalities. Preliminary numbers show there were more than 80 deaths reported last year.
Grewal said the heroin epidemic has forced his office to go "outside of our traditional law enforcement lane."
"We have to treat it not as a law enforcement issue, but as a public health issue," he said.
Going to high schools are among the additional responsibilities the office offers presentations to students about the risks of using drugs. Districts can invite the county to visit their schools online, he said.
The office also holds lectures for communities and parents' groups, though, he said, they're not well-attended.
The students, though "are a captive audience," Grewal said.
Sara Jerde may be reached at sjerde@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SaraJerde.