Riverhead HS Principal Warns Of Harmful Ingestible Substance After 2 Students Possibly Overdose

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RIVERHEAD, NY - Riverhead High School principal Sean O’Hara sent out an email following two students possibly overdosing on an unknown substance last week. The warning was sent to the families of the high school and in the community regarding a “potentially harmful, ingestible substance” that could be circulating through the school and accessible to students.

The warning comes following two incidents where students of the high school had to be revived by Narcan, an opioid overdose rescue drug, after they admitted to vaping in school. The Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps responded to the high school on both Friday, February 4th and Thursday, February 10th for possible overdoses. Students were given Narcan prior to RVAC arriving by a quick thinking school nurse and were transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center.

Riverhead School Superintendent Augustine Tornatore confirmed that both incidents involved the students vaping.

“In addition to our vape detectors, our team is vigilant in trying to stop this,” Tonrnatore said in an email to The Riverhead Local, a local news outlet for Riverhead. “Part of the issue is that students have increased anxiety and depression due to the lock down and pandemic. This has been a huge cause of concern for us.”

The high school is partnering with law enforcement to help identify and prevent further medical emergencies from this harmful substance.