Drugs in Elementary School?
The last thing that many would expect is for younger children to have access to drugs whatsoever. Unfortunately, the harsh reality is the fact that drugs are more widespread, and children are getting access to these drugs. There is also a really huge lack of security when it comes to this particular issue.
It is severely unfortunate that elementary schools may now require security to check property, to avoid having drugs in the school. There are many ways in which these children may gain access to these drugs. It may be from their parents, peers, or anyone that is around them. This then prompts them to share with classmates within their own school.
Five Students Transported to Local Hospital Due to Drugs
A total of five students were transported to a local hospital due to ingesting a substance from a vape pen.
“According to the Chicago Fire Department, the children were transported to local hospitals after reportedly ‘smoking a substance’ at Harvard Elementary School in Chicago’s Grand Crossing neighborhood just before 2 p.m. Wednesday,” according to Nexstar Media Group.
Therefore, upon arriving at the hospital, each of these children had their vitals and other important areas checked to make sure they were okay despite ingesting this substance. These five children had concerned certain workers at the school due to their actions after ingesting the substance.
“They were hospitalized after someone found them ‘laughing uncontrollably,'” according to the Chicago Sun-Times. This then prompted the ambulance and police to be called to the scene. It is also said that after being sent to the hospital, these five children came out completely okay.
How Did These Five Children Get The Substance?
Many began to wonder, how did these children get their hands on a substance in the first place? These students had a field trip on Tuesday. This may have been a major factor in how they got their hands on this vape pen.
“A police source said they may have picked up a vape pen on a field trip Tuesday, and one student brought it to school today and shared it with four friends,” according to ABC 7 News.
It is truly unfortunate that these children were able to get their hands on this substance. It is a major hope that these children can learn from this experience, and therefore stay away from substances such as these.
Tighter Security Measures for Schools in Chicago
Due to this event, there is a possibility that schools across Chicago and the state of Illinois may make security a higher priority. The last thing that people want to happen at a school is for more severe drugs, such as fentanyl, to make its way inside of the school. Therefore, having tighter security presence and stricter protocols within the school may certainly help prevent this from occurring. Additionally, having tighter security can reduce other issues that occur at schools.
The Future of Schools After This Event
It can be said with certainty that parents are certainly going to be more on edge when it comes to sending their children to school. However, if there are tighter security measures and stricter protocols, events like this will certainly be reduced and possibly eradicated. Therefore, although it would certainly take a lot of time to make this a reality, it should be done to help the overall environment within a school.
Parents may also be told to search their children more often, as to prevent them from taking certain things to places such as school. Children are naturally curious, and therefore, it is important to make sure they are not carrying anything of this nature.
Written by David Loran Jr.
Sources:
ABC 7 News: 5 Harvard Elementary students hospitalized after smoking weed at school, CPD and CFD say
Chicago Sun-Times: 5 Harvard Elementary students hospitalized after smoking vape pen they found on field trip
Nexstar Media Group Inc: 5 children hospitalized after smoking vape pen at Chicago elementary school
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of steeleman204’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Daniel X. O’Neil’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
