In the aftermath of a medical emergency involving several students abusing over-the-counter medications last week, the Platte County R-3 School district issued a safety bulletin to all families.
On Thursday, May 19 Platte City Police officers and the Northland Regional Ambulance District were dispatched to the high school in Platte City at around 11 a.m.
According to police, several students were experiencing “poisoning/overdose symptoms.”
Four juvenile students had purposely consumed over-the-counter medication “for recreational effects.”
“The parties became ill and were all transported by ambulance to an area hospital for non-life-threatening symptoms,” police said in a release.
Police said the matter was referred to the Platte County Juvenile Office.
On Monday, May 23, the Platte County School District issued a follow-up on the situation, which caused a temporary “hold in place” order at the high school that day “due to a series of medical emergencies stemming from the misuse of over-the-counter medications.”
Adults were reminded to advise teens about the dangers of misusing any medication, either prescription or over-the-counter.
“Too many teens have the false perception that ‘medicine is safe, medicine can’t hurt me.’ Let your kids know the dangers,” administrators wrote in the follow-up.
Teens are advised to never take pills either not prescribed to them or out of their original container.
Parents are advised to check medicine cabinets and ensure all medications are where they should be.
“The reasons kids turn to pills (i.e. feelings of depression, anxiety, boredom, restlessness, etc.) are very real. They need to hear from caring adults that they have options for relief other than taking matters into their own hands,” the bulletin states.
It’s important for teens to know adults will listen to their concerns and help them solve their problems in a more healthy way.
Texting code words to a trusted adult to get out of an uncomfortable situation and discussing possible scenarios with teens are also advised.
Concerns can be reported though the district’s SafeSchools Alert System.