No Fentanyl, Narcotics Involved In Riverhead School ODs: Police

Riverhead NY

18 February, 2022

3:51 PM

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RIVERHEAD, NY— Two recent suspected overdoses at Riverhead High School did not involve fentanyl, illicit narcotics, or alcohol, police said. According to the Riverhead Police Department, the detective division conducted a thorough investigation into the suspected overdoses that occurred at Riverhead High School on February 4 and February 10. "It has been determined that neither suspected overdose involved fentanyl, illicit narcotics or alcohol," police said. Both students were revived with Narcan, the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps said. Police did not indicate what might have triggered the Narcan saves; Riverhead Police Chief David Hegermiller was not immediately available for comment. An investigation into a third suspected overdose at Riverhead High School on February 14 involving a student ingesting a THC chocolate candy bar is still ongoing but it has been determined that fentanyl was not a factor in the student's illness, police said. However, police said, parents are strongly urged to have a conversation with their children about the dangers of drug use, as well as nicotine and vaping products, and to seek help if needed. Psychologists, social workers and school counselors are available at the school to help; additional information for parents is listed here, with resources provided by the Riverhead Community Awareness program. The three incidents at Riverhead High School in recent days that include two students revived by Narcan and another who felt ill after ingesting an edible appear "unrelated" and not related to opioids or fentanyl, Hegermiller said Tuesday. "This is not a crisis," Hegermiller told Patch. He said that just because Narcan was administered it "doesn't mean that there was an opioid overdose." Riverhead Police said on February 4, the patrol division responded to a 911 call for an aided case involving the possible overdose of a Riverhead High School student. Upon arrival the student was found alert and conscious, police said. The school nurse reported that Narcan was administered to the student, and the student was subsequently transported to Peconic Bay Medial Center by Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps, police said. During an interview with the student, he stated that he had utilized a vape pen given to him from another student in the class, police said. On February 10, the Riverhead police responded to a 911 call for an aided case involving a Riverhead High School Student who had "passed out," police said. When police arrived, the student was found alert and conscious, police said. The school nurse reported that Narcan had been administered to the student, who was then transported to Peconic Bay Medial Center by Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps, police said. The student, during an interview, stated that he has been ill for the last few weeks and had not utilized any illegal narcotics, police said. On Monday, police responded to a 911 call at the high school for an aided case involving a Riverhead High School Student who'd had difficulty breathing, authorities said. The student was treated and was subsequently transported to Peconic Bay Medial Center by Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps, police said. "The student stated that he was given a THC chocolate candy bar from an unidentified person in the Flanders area," police said. Once at school the student ate about half of the THC chocolate, police said. Hegermiller told Patch Tuesday that with the investigation indicating that all three incidents were unrelated to opioids or fentanyl, substances including nicotine can make a person feel light-headed. In addition, if a person in administered Narcan who is not overdosing, it will cause no harmful effect, the chief said. On Monday, according to Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps Assistant Chief James Alfano, the ambulance was called to the high school before 11 a.m. for a student who was difficulty breathing and was feeling dizzy. "He admitted to ingesting a chocolate edible," Alfano said. The student never lost consciousness and no Narcan was used, he said. The student was alert and was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center for observation, Alfano said. Last week, Narcan was administered twice at the school after student overdoses, Alfano said. After the first overdose, which took place on Feb. 4, the student admitted to vaping, Alfano said. Of the situation, Alfano said: "Obviously, there's a problem. There is someone, or there could be multiple people, bringing these things in and it's getting spread around. Right now we don't know what it is or how it's being brought in." Alfano also turned to social media to share a warning: "The Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps would like to warn parents about a recent influx of life-threatening overdoses that have been occurring within school," he wrote. "While the specific drug or substance that is being used or ingested at this time is still unknown to school administration and law enforcement, please be aware that overdoses have been seen after the usage of vape pens and has also been seen mixed in with candy." Alfano also shared a list of tips for parents. On Monday, Riverhead High School Principal Sean O'Hara posted a new message to Blue Waves families: "Due to an increasing concern, the high school administrative team has been working closely to develop strategies to assist our students in making the most sound choices for themselves," he said. "The district takes these matters very seriously and I can assure you that we are working to take several proactive steps to address the topic directly." To date, those steps have included partnering with local law enforcement and beginning to plan for several upcoming initiatives, O'Hara said. In the weeks ahead, the district will be hosting a virtual assembly for students about the dangers of alcohol and drug usage and will be offering training opportunities for administrators and any interested staff members, he said. "Additionally, as partners in education, we will be hosting a community event in the near future to extend Narcan/drug and alcohol awareness training to our residents, families and community," O'Hara said. "As you are likely aware, our response to drug and alcohol awareness is largely supported by our team of mental health professionals who work in our schools each day. Should you or your child need assistance at any time, please don't hesitate to reach out to our school psychologists, social workers and school counselors." Felicia Scocozza, executive director of the Riverhead Community Awareness Program, which leads prevention efforts in the district, said CAP has a social worker placed in the high school to support students. "CAP works with Riverhead School District and our coalition partners to prevent youth drug and alcohol use in the schools and community," she said. "We have a variety of resources on our website to help parents have conversations around these issues." These investigation is still ongoing; anyone with addition information is asked to call the Riverhead Town Police at 631-727-4500 ext. 312 or the Riverhead Police Department Crime Hotline at 631-727-3333. All calls will be kept confidential.