Fentanyl Now Found In West Fargo High Schools
The drug crisis continues to grow and hits West Fargo high schools.
Educators and police say they are now sure fentanyl has found its way into the hands of high schoolers.
West Fargo Public Schools and West Fargo Police held a news conference to confirm the threat.
“It is confirmed that as of 1:15 this afternoon that furanyl fentanyl was in our schools and was being used in our schools,” says West Fargo police chief Jerry Boyer.
Police verified that fentanyl was found at Sheyenne High School.
They are conducting investigations at both Sheyenne and West Fargo High Schools.
They say fentanyl poses danger to anyone who comes in contact with the drug because it is easily absorbed through the skin.
School officials are pushing parents to talk to their kids and educate them on this deadly drug.
“With prom and graduation season upon us, and students being home for the summer in just a few weeks, these conversations need to be happening at home as well as our schools,” says assistant superintendent Dr. Allen Burgad.
Raising awareness on this matter can help eliminate the abuse, but this grandparent says it’ll take a village.
“I think maybe the parents, the school and the community should form a task force and see if they can come up with anything that might help,” says grandmother Jean Rayl.
Parents and school officials are asked to keep an eye out for fentanyl.
Law enforcement say the drug can be mixed with water and put in eye drops, nasal sprays and even water bottles.
“I think the fatal drugs are new. Drugs have been around for a long, long time but it’s getting really serious now, where we see overdoses and children dying,” says Rayl.
Police say that they believe dealers are either current students or recent graduates.
Officials are also working on trying to stop the availability of fentanyl from being bought online.
Rayl adds, “It’s very very disturbing and our children are the future. So I hope that at some point we can resolve and get help for these kids.”
They’re planning to hold an informational meeting with the student body at each school.
The West Fargo School District asks students to utilize the Text–A–Tip line.