NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — A Westchester County high school student was revived with Narcan after using a marijuana vape apparently laced with deadly fentanyl.
On Monday, the New Rochelle High School student went unconscious after using the vape. Officials said that school nurses sprang into action to administer Narcan, a treatment that can reverse the effects of a known or suspected overdose.
In a letter to parents, Superintendent Jonathan Raymond called the incident an "ominous milestone" for the district, "one we had hoped would never be necessary."
"The vape almost cost that student their life. I implore you to speak with your children immediately about the dangers of vaping," he said. "It is urgent. This device is still in our community, potentially threatening the health or lives of any others who use it."
"I commend our nurses at New Rochelle High School for their quick and effective response," he added. "Their actions may well have saved this student’s life. I pray that we can reach others in our community to prevent other incidences."
While Raymond said that it had not been "confirmed" what substance "harmed" the unidentified student, he said it's known that "any vaping devices or drugs purchased on the street may – and likely do – contain the synthetic opioid fentanyl, and even the smallest dose can be lethal."
It's believed the marijuana concentrate was contaminated with the lethal opioid fentanyl, CBS 2 reported.
"And that’s why we need to get this message out to our families, caregivers and our guardians," Raymond told the station. "They need to know and tell their kids that any time you try anything from the street, whether it’s marijuana, off a vape, chances are it’s going to be laced with fentanyl. That’s how bad, that’s how serious, this is."
Fortunately, all school nurses in New Rochelle reportedly have a supply of Narcan.
Raymond is now encouraging parents to contact their own physician or pharmacist to obtain their own Narcan supply .
"Everyone is eligible to receive it, and you simply never know when you might need it to save a life," he said.
"If at any time they are with a friend who has overdosed, they can call 911 without fear of repercussion," Raymond added. "There is nothing more important than the health, safety, and wellbeing of our students and it takes all of us to prevent a fatal overdose."
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