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Multiple students hospitalized after 14-year-old brings prescription drugs to school

Posted at 5:10 PM, Feb 01, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-02 12:03:13-05

BRADENTON, Fla. — Multiple students in Bradenton were in the hospital Friday after one of them brought prescription drugs to school that morning, authorities say.

Deputies say a 14-year-old gave some of the drugs to his classmates at Horizon's Academy.

"These kids started acting a little odd, not acting right, not feeling well, getting sleepy, lethargic," said Randy Warren, spokesperson for Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Three of the students were taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital for treatment. Hospital staff administered Narcan, which is used to treat an overdose, to one of them.

A fourth student was also given medical attention by a school nurse and EMS.

The 14-year-old who brought the drugs was among those being treated at the hospital, deputies say. He was charged with distribution of a controlled substance through a juvenile referral.

Deputies say the student brought the drugs from his home, but have not specified the drug the students took.

"That's part of our investigation, finding out how he had access to the pills. He must have thought it would be cool to take them to school and take them and see what effects they had," said Warren.

A spokesperson for the Manatee County School District said he could not comment because of student privacy laws.