Five Henderson Independent High School students were taken to the hospital Thursday after they took over-the-counter drugs, a Rowan-Salisbury School System official said today.
School System officials said parents received a Connect-ED message Thursday night from Henderson Principal Lennetta Bartley advising them of the dangers of children “taking prescribed and non-prescribed medications recklessly.”
Rowan-Salisbury School System spokeswoman Rita Foil wrote in an email to the Post that administrators at Henderson called 911 Thursday regarding an incident involving five students and over-the-counter cold medications. The students were taken to the hospital, where they were treated and released.
Foil wrote in the email the school district’s response is following its Code of Conduct “and the staff is cooperating with law enforcement on an investigation.” Salisbury spokeswoman Elaney Hasselmann, however, said the Salisbury Police Department is not investigating the incident.
Salisbury Police Chief Rory Collins said the incident was a school matter and referred a Post reporter to Foil. The Post has made a written request to the Police Department for further details.
The Connect-ED message to parents, Foil said, was in an effort to “keep parents informed and aware of the school’s procedures that are in place to quickly address and respond to serious issues that students face on a daily basis.”
The message from Bartley went on to say “the only way that we can combat this reoccurring problem is with your help.”
Bartley encouraged parents who suspect their son or daughter is misusing medications to contact their doctor immediately.
She also suggested parents feel free to contact the school or speak with someone in Student Support Services who could provide them with community resources approved by the Board of Education. Bartley also said she was available to discuss any questions parents might have.
See tomorrow’s Post for more details.