17 Students From Walter Reed Middle School Treated for Unknown Drug

Seventeen students from Walter Reed Middle School in Los Angeles were treated for an unknown drug via gummy bears on Thursday.
Authorities say students at the Studio City middle school were overcome by some type of substance. None were in critical condition, and all are expected to fully recover.
The students were medically evaluated on site after the Los Angeles Fire Department raced to the scene at around 11 a.m. local time on Thursday.
The LAFD told Newsweek late Thursday afternoon that they responded to the school after getting a report of overdoses at around 10:29 a.m. local time.
The department said it treated 17 patients. According to LAFD Captain Erik Scott, cited by local CBS outlet KCAL, they were all students.
The department told Newsweek that two of the 17 patients were transported to the hospital in non-life-threatening conditions. The remaining patients were released to parent or school custody.
“There was no evidence of any fentanyl-type drugs. It was described as gummy bears that were ingested,” Scott said. “That’s still being evaluated and part of an active investigation.”
Scott said the school nurse had multiple patients exhibiting abnormal signs and symptoms, which prompted the emergency report. The students experienced symptoms of lethargy, increased heart rate and anxiety-type feelings, according to the captain.
Walter Reed Middle School Principal Paul De Bonis said in a statement to the school community, provided to Newsweek by a Los Angeles Unified School District spokesperson late Thursday afternoon, “Today, we became aware that a group of students may have consumed a banned substance. Emergency personnel were contacted, and students received medical attention. The parents of the affected students have been notified. The Los Angeles School Police Department is currently investigating this incident, and we are actively working with our local health partners.
“We ask that you talk to your children about substance abuse and the harmful side effects of controlled substances. We need your help to educate our students about the harms that drugs can cause,” De Bonis said. “Our school has mental health resources for students impacted by this incident, including counseling support. We also encourage everyone to follow the District’s message: if you see something, say something. Thank you for your continued engagement and support.”
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, five Nobel Charter Middle School girls in Northridge, Los Angeles, suddenly fell ill on Monday after possibly ingesting a “banned substance,” according to authorities.
The LAFD responded to the scene at around 2:20 p.m. Monday. All of the students were conscious and breathing, according to the LAFD.
The department said three students were taken to the hospital in fair condition, and two were released to their parents or guardians after being evaluated at the school.
“We ask that you talk to your children about substance abuse and the harmful side effects of controlled substances,” the Los Angeles School Police Department said in a statement after the incident. “We need your help to educate our students about the harms that drugs can cause.”
Update 10/17/24, 4:13 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Update 10/17/24, 4:28 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 10/17/24, 4:57 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 10/17/24, 6:51 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional comment from Walter Reed Middle School Principal Paul De Bonis.