CT - Student, 13, fentanyl exposure @ Sports & Medical Sciences Academy, Hartford, 13 Jan 2022

[imstilla.grandma]

CT - Student, 13, fentanyl exposure @ Sports & Medical Sciences Academy, Hartford, 13 Jan 2022

A Connecticut seventh grader has died after being exposed to fentanyl at school earlier in the week.

WFSB reports the 13-year-old boy overdosed on fentanyl at the Sports and Medical Sciences Academy, a magnet school with about 600 students in Hartford.

The boy was found unconscious and received CPR by the school nurse and then again by paramedics. Officials initially said the student was in “grave condition” after ingesting and overdosing on fentanyl.

Two other students, also seventh graders, complained of dizziness and were taken to a hospital to be checked out.

Drug-sniffing dogs went through the building and additional bags of fentanyl were found in two classrooms and in the gym. Students had to go through a decontamination zone before leaving school Thursday.

Police believe a student brought the drugs to the school. No arrests have been made yet.

Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin issued this statement:

“Our city grieves for this child lost, for his loved ones, his friends, his teachers, and the entire SMSA family. We still have much to learn about the circumstances of this tragedy, and about how a child had access to such a shocking quantity of such deadly drugs, and our police dept. will continue their investigation and seek to hold accountable the adults who ultimately are responsible for this child’s death. In the meantime, our prayers are with everyone touched by this loss, and we will do everything we can to support the SMSA community.”
7th grader dies after fentanyl exposure at Conn. school


Boisvert said upon a search of the school, investigators found 40 small bags of what was later determined to be fentanyl in powder form. The bags were found in two classrooms and the gymnasium.

“Yesterday was a very challenging day, a hard day, a scary day for our school community at The Sport and Medical Sciences Academy and our entire Hartford Public Schools community,” Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, the superintendent of Hartford Public Schools, said Friday morning.

She said school officials learned mid-morning that one student consumed and two others came in contact with a narcotic substance that contained fentanyl and medical support was given.

Torres-Rodriguez said the investigation is still ongoing as crews worked to determine the level of contamination if any.
Hartford Student Remains in Grave Condition After Overdose at School; Police Find 40 Bags of Fentanyl

 

[CP244]

I can't believe students at a sports academy were so lax with drugs.

 

[borndem]

40 bags, damm. Sounds like a pretty good stash, IMO. Bring them to school? What a ridiculous idea. Some student trying to be a "big man" or a "wonder woman"? Bringing them to school? I ask again, SMH. Forty little bags. Just dammit. And now we have a boy dead from it.
How, who, why? Where did the bringer of these little bags get them?

I do think LE and/or DEA and/or FBI will track this down to a person or persons -- I certainly hope so, and then we'll really be into it. This is one awful incident -- someone's son is dead.
And at least one other person is in really big trouble. Possibly for life.
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About the school -- very impressive -- probably accepting very impressive students.
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Sport and Medical Sciences Academ
Home » Sport and Medical Sciences Academy

Overview:
Sport and Medical Sciences Academy (SMSA) is a college-preparatory middle and high school with a focus on sport and medical sciences. Students receive a rigorous foundation in language arts, mathematics, and science. These disciplines are applied in the core curriculum with hands-on, experiential learning. Our core beliefs — dedication, responsibility, discipline, and respect (Dr.Dr.) — are embedded into students' educational experiences to promote development of social consciousness and leadership skills.
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Source:
Sport and Medical Sciences Academy

 

[sds71]

Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, the superintendent of Hartford Public Schools, released a statement on Sunday:

With profound sadness, I informed all Hartford Public Schools families, staff, and partners on Saturday night that our student from Sport and Medical Sciences Academy (SMSA), who is in grave condition at Connecticut Children's hospital, had passed away. I extend my heart and offer my deepest condolences to the student's family, friends, and loved ones for their loss. I ask that everyone keep the family, friends, and the entire school community at SMSA in their thoughts and prayers.

This tragic loss will raise many emotions, concerns and questions for our school community, especially your students. Our school district Crisis Intervention Team has already been assembled and will continue to help with the needs of students, parents, and school personnel.

Our School Social Workers are available on Sunday and Monday for students, families, and staff both in-person and virtually. Clinical Psychologists from Connecticut Children's hospital will also be available for students, families, and staff on Sunday and Monday by phone to offer their emotional health support.

Today I sent a message to all our families tat provided additional resources to help with supporting their child through grief and loss. The message included some ways parents and guardians can begin these difficult conversations with their children, as well as responses to questions that may come up over the next few weeks and months.

As a community, we will continue t provide additional support and care to students, families, and staff who need it. Once again, I ask that everyone please keep the family, friends, and the entire school community in your hears as we support each other through this incredible tragedy,

Mobile Psychiatric Crisis Services is available for students. SMSA community members can reach out to them by calling 211.

1 Hartford seventh grader dies after being exposed to fentanyl

 

[sds71]

@WTNH

https://mobile.twitter.com/WTNH/status/1483219376631341058
School officials confirm there will be no school tomorrow at Sport and Medical Sciences Academy. Decontamination efforts will continue within the school building

 

[Filly]

So, so sad. Thirteen years old went to school and is now dead to an overdose.

Harm reduction experts are concerned that misinformation is going to lead to stigma about carrying Narcan in schools.

Apparently this was 50 times stronger than street level? Hmmmm. The debate is on. What are the answers? Although they will now carry Narcan at this school.

People need to talk to kids. Parents, teachers, friends, law enforcement. They're putting fetty in everything. Weed, pills, psychedelics. So some young kid buys what they think is say a benzodiazapan at school? Having Narcan on hand can save a life.

Just a baby with a bright future.

Sorry on a soapbox. This makes me sick.

 

[sds71]

Hartford police identify person of interest in fentanyl overdose death of seventh grader

Hartford police said Tuesday the search warrant executed at that teen’s residence revealed around 100 additional bags of fentanyl which were recovered from his bedroom. Police said the fentanyl was packaged in the same manner as the bags located at the school, had the same identifying stamp and tested at an even higher purity level.

We can confidently say that the fentanyl that caused the overdose was the same fentanyl that was located in the juvenile’s bedroom. At this time, we have found no evidence that anyone other than the deceased
juvenile brought the fentanyl to school,” Hartford police wrote in the update Tuesday.

Police said they identified an individual who has narcotics history at the residence and that person will remain a person of interest, though police said they cannot label that person a suspect at this point.

Police said the teen’s mother was interviewed and has been fully cooperative with this investigation, adding they have no evidence at this time to support her having any prior knowledge of her son’s possession of the substance.