Shaw High student charged after bringing more than 60 pills to school, police say
A 16-year-old girl was charged Tuesday afternoon after she allegedly shared prescription medicine with a Shaw High student, who later fell ill, authorities said.
She faces one count each of reckless conduct, possession of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of school and drugs not kept in the original container.
Columbus police were called to the Shaw High School at 7579 Raider Way around 3:55 p.m. Tuesday to investigate an accusation that there was a student with prescription drugs.
The school counselor said a student ingested some pills around noon that didn't belong to her and wasn't feeling well. In a police report, authorities said she was rushed to Columbus Midtown Medical Center in an ambulance.
Mercedes Parham, the communications director with Muscogee County School District, said she was treated by medics on the scene and they confirmed that she wasn't injured. She stated that the student was not sent to the hospital.
The student allegedly refused to tell school officials or the police who gave her the medication. After further investigation, they received anonymous tip from someone who stated that the 16-year-old gave her the pills.
The teen was taken to the principal's office, where authorities said she admitted to giving the student drugs. In her backpack, officials allegedly found different colored pills folded inside of a napkin that was placed in a Rite Aid allergy relief bottle.
The evidence included five 14 gabapentin pills, eight clonidine pills, seven naproxen pills, 15 ciprofloxacin pills, three bupropion pills, nine oxcarbazepine pills and 10 diphenhydramine pills.
The 16-year-old's mother said some of the drugs were prescribed to her daughter and provided a screenshot of her list of medications.
Parham released a statement about the incident Thursday morning, stating that Shaw High will reprimand both students.
"Both students will face disciplinary action for alleged violations of Rule 2 of the Student Code of Conduct," she said. "Prescriptive medicine or drugs, with or without medical cause and/or permission, require registration with the school's guidance department in accordance with school policy and procedures. In addition, each site requires students to register medicines with the principal."
Parham said the school district is also cooperating with police as they continue to investigate this incident.
"We are primarily concerned with maintaining a safe and productive environment for all campuses to achieve success in our school system," she said. "Allegations of this nature are considered carefully to proceed with the best course of action for our students and personnel. We will continue to work with our local law enforcement, school counselors, social workers and peer groups to facilitate positive learning environments without the presence of illegal substances."
Sarah Robinson: 706-571-8622, @sarahR_92
This story was originally published January 25, 2018 at 11:38 AM with the headline "Shaw High student charged after bringing more than 60 pills to school, police say."