Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

Students give Narcan training pilot positive feedback

Hopkinton High School students hear from representatives from Hopkinton Organizing for Prevention, the Hopkinton Police Department and the Health Department during a pilot Narcan training program in April. PHOTO/HOPKINTON ORGANIZING FOR PREVENTION

Students at Hopkinton High School got an education in Narcan training and drug prevention earlier this month thanks to a pilot program developed by a coalition of town departments.

Hopkinton Organizing for Prevention (HOP) led a six-day program at HHS for 250 juniors and seniors as part of their wellness classes. Erin Bartolini, HOP’s drug free communities program coordinator, said the program was aimed at older students who will be moving onto college and the workforce after graduation.

“The coalition felt that as juniors and seniors are about to transition into the next phase of life … they’re going to encounter new things, new environments,” said Bartolini. She added that the coalition — comprised of the School Department, the Health Department, Hopkinton Youth & Family Services and both the police and fire departments — wanted the students to be adequately prepared for how to recognize overdoses and have greater knowledge around substance abuse prevention.

The training for the students was adapted from the Health Department’s existing Narcan training module. It runs a monthly Narcan training program at the Hopkinton Public Library for all residents. Students learned the impact of opioids on the brain, signs of an overdose and how to administer Narcan and post-administrative care while waiting for emergency personnel.

Another aspect of the training was providing information on the commonwealth’s Good Samaritan laws. Under these laws, anyone providing assistance for someone experiencing a drug-related overdose or the person experiencing the overdose will be protected from criminal prosecution.

Students were awarded a certificate for completing the course and now have the option to obtain a Narcan kit at Town Hall if they wish.

Bartolini said the response to the training was “overwhelmingly positive,” noting that surveys taken afterward showed the students felt comfortable with how to use Narcan if need be.

“Most students felt [it] provided them with valuable training,” said Bartolini. She noted that the coalition has not discussed what the program may look like in the future. Also, she encouraged residents to take advantage of the Health Department’s monthly Narcan trainings at the library.

“It’s a great resource for the town,” she said.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

The latest Real Estate Transactions list shows five homes sold in the past week, including one for $2.6 million.

Phyllis Hill, 94, of Hopkinton passed away April 23.

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts will host the next Dementia Friends Information Session on May 16.

Town meetings tonight include the Parks & Recreation Commission (6), Conservation Commission (7), Economic Development Advisory Board (7) and Board of Library Trustees (7).

Photo of the Day

Participants in the kids dash break into stride Saturday at the MetroWest YMCA Outdoor Center in Hopkinton during YMCA Healthy Kids Day.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO