LIVERPOOL -- Liverpool Schools are reacting after the arrests of two students at the Liverpool High School Annex on Wetzel Road in Clay.
Investigators say a 14 year-old female student was bringing morphine pills from her mother's prescription medication into the school and selling them. Police say three of the students ended up getting sick because of the pills. The 14 year-old was charged with three felonies including criminal sale of a controlled substance near school grounds. Another student was charged with possession of a controlled substance.
Thursday Liverpool Schools Superintendent Dr. Nick Johns told CNYcentral that he believes this is an isolated incident and didn't feel the need to send an alert to parents.
Johns is calling the arrests a "wake-up call," but also says the fact more students are not involved with the pills is a sign that Liverpool's health and anti-drug programs are working.
Colby Sutter has done drug education work in Liverpool for The Prevention Network. He was also glad to hear that most students knew just how dangerous a prescription drug could be.
"To hear that a lot of the kids turned it down is just awesome. To know that we're making a difference and that these kids are making healthy decisions and they expect more out of their lives than turning to drugs," said Sutter.
One teen is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance near school grounds, criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal sale of a controlled substance.
The other teen is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. Their names are not being released because of their age.
The teens will have to report to Family Court, and were released to the custody of their parents.
This is the third recent incident involving high school students accused of bringing prescription drugs to local schools.
Earlier this month a 16-year-old from Fulton was accused of trying to sell morphine pills at Hannibal High School and last March a 17-year-old was accused of bringing Oxycontin to Paul V. Moore High School in Central Square.
Statistics show that fewer teens are using illegal drugs like cocaine and heroin but prescription drug abuse has become more common. Dr. Alexander Garrard with SUNY Upstate's Poison Control Center says families should lock up prescription medications and keep track of every dose.
"People think just because it's prescribed, it's safe. It's still a drug and it still has significant effect on the body when used on the wrong person at the wrong dose," said Garrard.
Do you agree with the superintendent? Are health programs working in our high schools? Should parents have been alerted to the arrests? Leave some of your thoughts below.
