At least 17 students treated at middle school in Studio City over 'possible overdoses'

Students sickened after taking substance

At least 17 students at a middle school in Studio City became sick after consuming a 'banned substance.'

LOS ANGELES - First responders were called to Walter Reed Middle School in Studio City after receiving a medical call involving at least 17 students late Thursday morning.

Officials with the Los Angeles Fire Department said they were called to the school located in the 4500 block of North Irvine Avenue just before 10:30 a.m. on a report of "possible overdoses" involving the students, who are between 12 and 13 years old.

As she stood outside her school, sixth-grader Ariana Arcos was near tears, and with her lip quivering as she said, "I don't know what's going on right now."

Meanwhile, seventh-grader Sophia Lieva explained the buzz going around school. "People took edibles and they got really sick."

"There were a lot of people throwing up and yeah…all of sudden there were firetrucks, ambulances and police. I was scared," Arcos added. "I didn't know what to do so I just immediately texted my parents."

After receiving an email saying that "a group of students may have consumed a banned substance…with harmful side effects of a controlled substance," parents came racing to the school.

"Of course, I dropped everything and came here," one parent told FOX 11.

Another parent said they "started crying immediately," while a third parent said, "I've had a hard time reaching my kids. I haven't heard from them yet."

Officials continue working to determine what the 17 students ingested.

Two students were hospitalized, and the others were treated at the scene and released to their parents.

Parents received an email saying students had consumed a ‘banned substance’.

In a statement, the school's principal encouraged parents to talk to their children about "substance abuse and the harmful side effects of controlled substances."

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"Today, we became aware that a group of students may have consumed a banned substance," Principal Siegel said.

"We need your help to educate our students about the harms that drugs can cause," he added.

Meanwhile, in South LA, two to three students at 52nd Street Elementary School possibly ingested an over-the-counter medication. Emergency personnel responded; one student's parents declined medical attention. One student from the elementary school was transported to a local hospital.

On Monday, paramedics responded to a similar call reporting five students at Nobel Charter Middle School in Northridge had possibly ingested cannabis-derived edibles.

At least five students became ill. Three were taken to the hospital in fair condition, while two others were released to their parents at the school after being evaluated.

With Halloween on the horizon, edibles are a concern for school police because, as Officer Allen Chavez said, "They do have the appearance of candy in gummy form."

The lesson at Reed Jr High this Thursday according to Ariana Arcos, "Never take anything from strangers even when it looks good or something… just don't take it! You never know if it's drugs or not."