Seven middle school-aged students in Los Angeles were hospitalized Thursday after after potentially overdosing on an unknown substance.
A total of ten students between the ages of 12 and 15 years of age at Van Nuys Middle School were evaluated and found to be in “mild-to-moderate stress” from a suspected overdose, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) reported. Seven were transported to pediatric hospitals for treatment.
Three students were released from the hospital on scene, the press release reported.
Seven students at a Los Angeles-area middle school were sent to the hospital on Thursday after experiencing “mild-to-moderate distress” following a suspected overdose of an unknown substance. https://t.co/k6Fuy5fMcE
— CNN (@CNN) December 2, 2022
Fifty firefighters and the LA School Police searched all parts of the school campus to ensure that no other students had been harmed, according to the release. Officials have not confirmed the substance used by the students, but have ruled out that the incident is related to fentanyl use. (RELATED: New Mexico Mom Allegedly Used Her Kids As Fentanyl ‘Mules’ To Transport Deadly Dose To Their Father)
“With 50 firefighters on scene, in coordination with LA School Police and school personnel, crews systematically searched the entire school premises including hallways, classrooms, offices, and recreation areas to ensure there were no students unaccounted for. Crews on scene confirmed that this was NOT fentanyl-related,” the release stated.
The Los Angeles Unified School District issued a statement ensuring its commitment to its students’ health and safety, ABC 7 News reported.
“We take the health and safety of our students very seriously,” the statement said.”Every effort is made to ensure our students learn in a safe environment. Los Angeles Unified maintains an ongoing partnership with local health agencies, community partners and medical experts to provide training to school staff and education for our school communities.”