LA Middle School Overdoses Believed To Be Fentanyl Linked

LOS ANGELES, CA — Paramedics were called to a Los Angeles middle school to treat at least three students experiencing "altered level of consciousness," according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

It was later reported that the students were administered Narcan for suspected fentanyl overdoses.

"In the past two weeks, we've seen near-death overdoses at an LAUSD middle school, the death of a mother and critical injury of her child as they walked to school, and a stabbing on the grounds of an LAUSD school," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement in response to the incident. "These devastating incidents are unacceptable. Superintendent (Alberto) Carvalho and I spoke yesterday about strategies to keep our teachers, students and employees safe and together we will host convenings of stakeholders and community members focusing on safety in and around our schools. We must -- and will -- do more."

Paramedics were called to Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Middle School in the 4000 block of Johnnie Cochran Vista shortly after noon, according to Brian Humphrey, spokesman for the fire department. The students may have been exposed to or ingested an unknown substance, he said.

The sickened children were 13 or 14 years old.

It wasn't immediately known what condition the kids were in. Typically, when paramedics are called to a school to treat an illness in Los Angeles, the students have to be released to their parents or transported to a hospital for observation, authorities said.

This year, paramedics have been called to Los Angeles area schools frequently to respond to reports of illness among students exposed to drugs..

Last month, Los Angeles firefighters were called to Sun Valley Magnet School to treat eight students who fell ill after possibly ingesting marijuana edibles. The students were boys and girls ranging from 12 to 16 years old, and five were eventually taken to a hospital for treatment.

In February, paramedics were called to the Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies to treat seven children, five who were hospitalized. The other two children were reportedly released to their parents against medical advice.

SEE ALSO:

• Several Students Suffer Medical Emergency At Valley School
• 8 Kids Suffer Possible Marijuana-Related Illness At Valley School