Every Nash County Public Schools bus now rolls out with naloxone (Narcan) and a ONEbox overdose-response kit on board. The district has outfitted its entire fleet of 115 buses, covering the more than 7,000 students who ride to and from school each day, using county opioid-settlement dollars. Officials say 132 drivers and monitors have already completed training to spot potential overdoses and use the kits in an emergency.
In a March 9 news release, Nash County Public Schools said the county purchased 115 ONEbox units and 120 boxes of naloxone, a $21,435.60 investment approved by the Board of Commissioners and the local Opioid Settlement Advisory Council. According to the district, training held in July 2025 with the C.A.R.E. Coalition prepared 132 transportation staff members to recognize overdose warning signs and administer naloxone. Transportation leaders described the move as a straightforward prevention and preparedness step so that help is closer at hand during student commutes.
Parents who spoke with reporters largely backed the decision. As reported by ABC11 Raleigh-Durham, some said Narcan on school buses could be the difference between life and death. The station pointed to state data showing 26 suspected school overdoses where naloxone was used during the 2023–24 school year, along with records indicating 31 overdose deaths in Nash County in 2024.
What's in the ONEbox kits
The ONEbox system is a compact, video-enabled opioid emergency kit stocked with intranasal naloxone doses, basic personal protective equipment and simple, step-by-step instructions that automatically play when the box is opened. The idea is to make it easier for bystanders to act quickly and confidently if someone appears to be overdosing, according to the Drug Intervention Institute, which distributes the units to communities and organizations.
How the move fits statewide
Local leaders are framing the bus rollout as part of a broader push to put overdose-reversal medications and training within reach in public spaces, including schools. Coverage from regional outlets such as WSOC shows other North Carolina districts taking similar steps and tapping opioid-settlement funds to support prevention work.
Officials praise partnership and next steps
County and district officials credited the Opioid Settlement Advisory Council and community partners with helping to prioritize both the purchase and the training that followed. “Equipping all 115 Nash County Public School buses with life-saving Naloxone and ONEbox overdose response kits demonstrates proactive leadership and a deep investment in protecting children and families across our county,” Nash County Public Schools wrote in its release.
The ONEbox units are now installed across the district’s fleet, and officials say they plan to keep focusing on prevention, training and collaboration with local health partners. For now, the kits give bus staff one more tool to use in the crucial minutes before emergency medical services arrive.
