D.C. Elementary School Students Reportedly Handle, Ingest Cocaine

UPDATE (5:05 p.m.): New details now on the incident -- the student who brought the cocaine to school and shared it has been charged with possession of a controlled substance. In total, four students ingested the cocaine, some orally, others inhaling it through the nose. All of the children involved are apparently okay; leadership at Thomson Elementary met with the parents of the children involved, and a letter was sent home with all students to explain what happened. Friday is a professional development day for teachers at the school, but counselors will be available on Monday to help the young students to understand what happened.

Here's the full statement on the incident from D.C. Public Schools:

Today, a student Thomson Elementary School brought an undetermined amount of cocaine to school and shared it with others in his class. Four of the students who received the cocaine ingested it, some orally and others inhaled it through the nose. It is unknown at this time how much each student ingested. The students’ teacher spoke with the student who distributed the cocaine and alerted the main office. The four students were evaluated by the school nurse and transported to the hospital as a precaution. A fifth student, who did not ingest the drug, was also transported as a precaution. All are reportedly OK. School leadership at Thomson ES notified the parents of the students involved and met a group of parents after school to address their concerns regarding the incident. A letter from school leadership also was sent home explaining what had happened (see attached). School is not in session Friday as it is a professional development day for teachers. Counselors will be at the school on Monday to discuss the incident with the student body and teachers. The counselors will provide information to educate students about the dangers of drugs and offer advice on drug prevention. The student who brought the cocaine to school has been charged with Possession Controlled Substance (cocaine). The Office of Attorney General handles juvenile matters and will determine how to proceed with charges given the age of the student.

ORIGINAL POST: D.C. emergency crews responded to Thomson Elementary School this afternoon after several students were reported to have handled or ingested a substance believed to contain cocaine. Based on information from authorities, two students are have believed to have eaten and spit out, and another two handled, the substance in question, which was brought by another student to the school. TBD reports that initial tests of the substance proved positive for cocaine. Police are currently investigating the scene. In total, five students were transported to a hospital for treatment.