School district investigating after 2 high school students get ill from edibles
Police and East St. Louis School District 189 are investigating after two high school students consumed an ``edible substance” and ended up suffering adverse effects, a school district statement says.
“The students were transported to local hospitals for care and observation and were later released. We are thankful they have recovered,” according to the statement from Sydney Stigge-Kaufman, Executive Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships.
The incident happened Wednesday.
“The safety and well-being of our students are of paramount importance to us and we are deeply concerned about this incident,” Stigge-Kaufman said in the statement. “We are actively cooperating with law enforcement in their criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding this event as well as conducting our own internal investigation.”
After the investigation, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
“ We will continue to evaluate and enforce procedures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future and will institute any changes deemed necessary,” according to the statement.
The school district is holding meetings for students at the high school to reeducate them on the serious health effects that drugs or other substances, including edibles, can have on them, the statement says.
“ Additionally, we are reiterating that students should not take or share snacks and drinks from others - even friends,” according to the statement.
A spokesperson for the East St. Louis Police Department could not be reached for comment for this story.
