Fairfax County Public Schools announced on May 15 that two students experienced non-fatal overdoses in the past 24 hours at Oakton High School and Key Middle School. Both students required urgent medical care and later admitted to using marijuana, with at least one case involving synthetic marijuana. The incidents are not believed to be connected.
The school division said these events are very serious and urged families to have important conversations about drug use at home. “According to the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA), synthetic cannabinoids are chemically similar to cannabis (marijuana) but are made in a lab and can have unpredictable and severe effects on the body. These substances are also more likely to be made illegally. They may be referred to as ‘K2’ or ‘spice’ and are commonly produced as a vape cartridge,” Dr. Michelle C. Reid, Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools, said.
Reid encouraged parents and guardians to visit NIDA’s website for advice on how to talk with children about making healthy decisions regarding drugs. She added that Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to prevention through its health curriculum, which educates students about the impact of substance use on health, academics, and relationships.
Families who need support or have concerns were asked by Reid to contact their school or access additional resources available online. She also reminded families about an anonymous safety tip line managed by the FCPS Office of Safety and Security for reporting safety concerns.
“We will continue to share important information with families about substance use prevention strategies to help keep our community safe,” Reid said in her message. “It is important that we treat substance use disorders and overdoses with compassion, grace, and understanding. We all play a vital role in reducing the stigma associated with substance use disorders while working collectively toward prevention.”