COVINGTON, La. - A high school student has been arrested for providing a drug connected to three suspected overdoses on the Covington High campus Thursday, according to Covington police.
The police said the suspect, 18-year-old Caleb Badeaux, was booked on one count of distribution of a scheduled narcotic to a student and one count of violation of having a controlled substance within 2,000 feet of a school
Police said the students who overdosed were 15, 15 and 16 years of age. All three have been released or will be released Friday.
Three students were taken to the hospital after suffering from suspected drug overdoses at school Thursday afternoon.
Covington Fire Department officials said they were called to the school after a report of an unresponsive student at lunch.
When officials arrived on the scene, another student became unresponsive. They transported both students to the hospital, and at that point received another report of an unresponsive student at the same school.
By the time fire officials got back to the school, the student had regained consciousness. Fire department officials say the student claimed he had taken the drug Mojo, a banned synthetic drug, and gave the same drug to the other two students. He was also transported to the hospital.
Police are handling the case as a criminal investigation.
Superintendent W. L. "Trey" Folse issued the following statement:
Our School System works side-by-side on a continuous basis with local law enforcement agents and school resource officers to maintain safe, secure and drug-free learning environments. Unfortunately, illegal drug use is a problem that persists in our society. While we are committed to educating students about making good choices, we encourage parents of students of all ages to talk with their children about the dangers and harmful consequences of illegal drug use.
