Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district is looking at updating safety protocols after a student at an elementary school found a bag containing fentanyl on the school grounds.
According to a letter sent out to parents over the weekend by Arlette Begoum-Kak茅, principal of 脡cole Quarterway, B次元官网网址渁 small packet of a suspicious substanceB次元官网网址� was found after school Friday, April 14.
The student informed a parent right away who suspected the packet might contain drugs, and contacted authorities to have it tested. The contents proved to be fentanyl.
B次元官网网址淭hankfully, the child and their family are fine, however, it is vitally important that we all follow proper safety measures when dealing with harmful substances,B次元官网网址� Begoum-Kak茅 said in the letter.
She said the school is working with Nanaimo RCMP, and school staff have arranged for morning sweeps of the grounds. The letter also reminded students not to handle anything that might be dangerous and to contact an adult immediately or call 911.
Dale Burgos, Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools spokesperson, said SD68 is happy no one was harmed by accidentally ingesting the substance.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e reminding students at the school today that if they do find something potentially harmful B次元官网网址� whether itB次元官网网址檚 a substance or a backpack or bag thatB次元官网网址檚 just found on school grounds or anywhere near the school B次元官网网址� to leave it alone,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淒onB次元官网网址檛 touch it. Let a teacher or responsible adult at the school know. If thatB次元官网网址檚 not an option, call the police or call 911 and definitely donB次元官网网址檛 handle these packets or items yourself.B次元官网网址�
Reserve Const. Gary OB次元官网网址橞rien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesperson, said police will respond to collect suspicious substances when called.
B次元官网网址淵ou have to be very, very careful with handling fentanyl,B次元官网网址� OB次元官网网址橞rien said. B次元官网网址淲ear gloves, pick it up with a pole or something, put it into a garbage bag and then contact the police and weB次元官网网址檒l dispose of it accordingly.B次元官网网址�
Burgos said incidents like this are rare. It has been several years since needles were found in Comox Park near 脡cole Pauline Haarer.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a number of years since weB次元官网网址檝e had to deal with something like this,B次元官网网址� he said.
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Burgos said the school district is working with the school to determine if site checks can be done every morning.
B次元官网网址淚t wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be just this school,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e want to make sure that every school is checked. I can tell you that our principals, on a daily basis, do rounds around the schools to make sure that the safety of our students and staff are addressed, whether itB次元官网网址檚 a person possibly sleeping in a corner of a school B次元官网网址� in a doorway perhaps B次元官网网址� or anything thatB次元官网网址檚 left on the school grounds B次元官网网址� Oftentimes principals ask for extra support and thatB次元官网网址檚 what the conversations are this week.B次元官网网址�
chris.bush@nanaimobulletin.com
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