A Maple High School student was transported to the hospital Thursday for suspected drug use and it wasn’t the first time a Lompoc Unified School District student ended up in the hospital this week.
Prescription pill abuse is something some Cabrillo High School parents say they weren’t expecting to happen here.
“I was in shock and I couldn’t believe the fact that someone would have drugs taken out on campus and for it to be a medicine handed out, that was even more scary,” said Emily Haupt, mother of a Cabrillo High School student.
Seven students in the Lompoc Unified School District have now been hospitalized for being under the influence of drugs in the last week.
It’s a nationwide problem Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Deputy Dennis Thomas says is concerning.
“The problem we’re finding is, often times the prescription meds they think are from a pharmacy are not from a pharmacy or a doctor, they’re fake pills being made in someone’s house, garage and often times laced with very dangerous drugs,” Deputy Thomas explained.
To combat issues like these, Deputy Thomas splits his time between Cabrillo and Maple High Schools, engaging with students and staff.
It’s one part of the district’s plan to make everyone feel safer on campus.
“Any time students are going through issues and things that can potentially lead to drug abuse, the healthy relationships or having a positive relationship with an adult on campus is one of the best interventions we can provide,” said Brian Jaramillo, Director of Pupil Support Services for the LUSD.
Jaramillo says the district also partners with community organizations if students are suspected to be using drugs.
“So we have partnerships with Coast Valley Treatment Center, with Family Service Agency for counseling services and with the Council of Drug and Alcohol Abuse for additional counseling services,” he said.
Parents are reminded to engage with their students to make sure they know what’s happening at home and at school, something parents like Haupt say they enjoy doing.
“I’m very happy to have these in-depth conversations because I feel that it’s important that your child have communication. If not there’s gonna be something detrimental that could happen,” she said.
The Lompoc Unified School District says it offers parenting classes and can give tips to parents if they need help starting conversations with their kids.
