Several Tulsa middle school students suspended over having drugs at school

Friday, May 6th 2005, 6:51 am

By: News On 6

New developments in the case of some Tulsa school students popping pills at school. Tulsa Public Schools suspended five students who were caught taking prescription drugs that were not their own.

The News on 6 first told you Thursday night about the incident at Foster Middle School at 12400 East 21st Street. One eighth-grader gave anti-depressant drugs to four other eighth-graders.

Foster's principal calls this an "isolated incident" at his school, but the Partnership for a Drug Free America says prescription drug abuse is a growing problem among teenagers.

And one Tulsa pharmacist says even though they come from your doctor, prescription drugs can be dangerous. Pharmacist Kathy Collier: "If you're doctor is giving you these medications to treat a condition then they're relatively safe. However when children are taking them and passing them out to their friends thatâ€™s when a lot of problems can start."

Collier says taking prescription drugs that are not yours could have serious consequences, including breathing and heart problems.