3 students hospitalized after eating edibles at Dorchester's Henderson Inclusion School
BOSTON – School officials say three students were taken to the hospital as a precaution Tuesday after eating edibles at the Henderson Inclusion School in Dorchester.
This is the second time this month students in the city have taken edibles at school.
Head of School Stephanie Sibley said staff immediately notified Boston Public Schools Safety Services and Boston Police following the incident.
The school expressed thanks to the workers and first responders who helped the kids.
Boston Public Schools released a statement following the incident.
We are deeply concerned about the recent reports of students ingesting edibles. We are encouraging parents, guardians, and caregivers to take an active role in helping us ensure our students are aware of the risks associated with consuming these products and that they understand the potential consequences, including the potential for serious health issues. We are grateful to our school staff and first responders for their quick work in getting our students seen by medical professionals as quickly as possible.
Sibley said in her note to the school community that drugs and paraphernalia are prohibited on school grounds by any student, employee or family member.
Just two weeks ago, five students at Boston's Tobin School ate edibles. One of them was taken to the hospital.
A Tufts doctor who spoke to WBZ-TV after that incident pointed out that edibles are designed for adult use and could be toxic for someone who weighs half an adult weight.
Under Boston Public School policy, students' bags and belongings can be searched if the school deems it necessary.
"I feel like it makes it hard for teachers and staff to really feel like this is a safe community, especially because this is an inclusion school. I feel like it's kind of lowering the small trust that they already have in us," a student named Abbigayle said. "It also makes parents and other kids with disabilities kind of feel like, 'Is this really a safe environment for me?'"
The school system is asking parents to have conversations with their kids about the impact of substance use.
"I feel like this is just kind of difficult, especially for the kids that don't do drugs, don't bring drugs to school. It kind of makes things a little bit hard for everyone else," Abbigayle said.