Mount Pleasant principal warns parents about uptick in drug possession and use in schools - ABC NEWS 4

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCIV) — There is a disturbing and dangerous uptick in students having and using illegal drugs.

That's the message for parents of Lucy Beckham High School students. A letter from the school’s principal warns staff are finding more threatening substances, including fentanyl.

In the letter, Principal Anna Dassing said this isn’t “kids being kids,” or students “testing the boundaries.”

She warns the reality is that illegal drug use can be life or death, and it only takes a minuscule amount to be deadly.

"Right now, the experimentation phase is something that's the most dangerous that it's ever been," Tim Maguire said.

Read more: "New campaign seeks to educate SC parents on speaking to their children about dangers of drugs."

Dassing said in addition to the nicotine vapes, the school is seeing more THC vapes, marijuana, and edibles in packaging that mimic mainstream food items.

These drugs can be deadly.

"We need to let young people know that regardless of what someone might tell you something is or even the way it's labeled," Patrick Martin said.

"Those are not safeguards against any sort of contamination, or you just misrepresent what someone's taking. And that can lead to a one-time experimentation overdose, which is really scary."

Read more: "SRO: Wando High School student admits to possessing marijuana, smoking THC."

In one instance, Dassing mentions cocaine laced with fentanyl was being passed off as ADHD prescription medication at the school.

"Fentanyl can be the size of a grain of rice and be a lethal dose for people, especially in the high school age," Maguire said.

"You just don't know what it is. And it's not worth the risk. It is not about experimenting. It's about safety and life and death," Martin said.

WakeUp Carolina and the Safe Schools Project say partnerships with parents and schools across the district are needed.

Read more: "DHEC partners with SC schools to have overdose medication available to students."

They said it's all about fostering trust and open dialogue with our students.

"One thing as a teacher and a parent, I tell my students, and I tell my children is that we must let young people know it's okay to come talk to us," Maguire said.

"We have to break down the barriers that prevent young people from talking to older people who can get them help and information and reliable information because there's so much incorrect and unreliable information out there."

Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie implored the community to do more to curb drug use.

"I implore our community to renew our efforts to curb drug use and vaping among our youth," Haynie said. "With community resources like WakeUp Carolina, our police department's innovative programs, and our local educators, we just need to keep the wellbeing of our youth our main priority."

Read more: "'Purple candy'? Daycares, schools face parent outrage over incidents involving drugs and supplements."

Dassing said school officials are actively working to support students to mitigate substance use.

A flyer attached to the letter provides more information on the Alcohol & Other Drug Alternative Program for Teens.

Principal Dassing said if students are concerned about drugs on campus, they can let school staff know anonymously.

They can use the “See Something Say Something” tip line. That phone number is (877) 250-2790.

There are also counselors and mental health support staff on campus trained to get students the help they need.

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Mount Pleasant principal warns parents about uptick in drug possession and use in schools - ABC NEWS 4
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