Another New Rochelle HS Student Rushed To Hospital After Vaping

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Another New Rochelle High School student ended up in the hospital after vaping an unknown substance, according to school officials.

"Last week at New Rochelle High School, we had another student rushed to the hospital in an ambulance after using a vaping device believed to contain cannabis," Superintendent Jonathan Raymond wrote in a letter to families. "As I’ve shared in previous correspondence, vaping with any substance in and of itself is very dangerous and can cause permanent health consequences. This danger is increased with the use of illegal substances."

In January, a student at the high school was given Narcan (naloxone), after she vaped a substance that was believed, at the time, to be laced with fentanyl.

Since the incident, the New Rochelle Police Department told multiple media outlets, including Talk of the Sound and CBS2, that the student's bloodwork showed no evidence of opioids.

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• Westchester Honors Staff Who Gave Narcan To Student In Suspected OD
• New Rochelle HS Nurses Save Student With Narcan After Vaping OD

Raymond said the district has counselors working at the high school and in middle schools who are there to educate and support our students with understanding the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, but, he said the school needs support from families.

"As will be shared on an upcoming episode of our district video blog podcast “What Matters Most,” two of our counselors and a student from the high school speak about the importance of open and direct communication between parents and other caregivers and their children about these dangers," Raymond explained. "Also, it’s important to encourage your children to be involved in activities such as clubs, afterschool and summer programs, athletics, and community service projects. Keeping our children engaged helps keep them safe."

The superintendent said that now, more than ever, the danger can come from some surprising sources.

"I’m sharing additional information about the dangers of edible cannabis and urge all adults who make the choice to use these products, to keep them safely out of reach of children," Raymond wrote. "As you can see from these pictures, cannabis producers market them to look like candy and other snacks that look appealing to children."

Raymond shared images of products with names like "Stoney Patch," " KeefKat" and "Puff-a-mint-Patty" that most certainly don't belong in the hands of children.

Raymond also offered some additional resources for families from the Drug Awareness Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Quick Facts on the Risks of E-cigarettes for Kids Teens and Young Adults
• Basic Information on Electronic Cigarettes
• E-Cig Parent Tip Sheet