North Carolina Ninth-Graders Suspended In Ecstasy Prank
Story by wsoctv.com
Police said two students in Cleveland County got some Ecstasy pills and used them to try to drug a teacher last week.
Investigators said the teacher was tipped off about the pills slipped into his water bottle before he had a chance to sip it.
According to investigators, a ninth-grader, urged on by another student at Crest High School, might have put a crushed up Ecstasy pill in the teacher's drink.
"I think that it's a shame that schools have come to that. That there is that kind of stuff in school," said student Kristin Callahan.
She is even more stunned at who is accused of doing it.
"They were just good kids. (The teacher) even said that one of them was one of his favorite students," said Callahan.
Because the suspects are minors, their names are being withheld.
Resource officer Dave Bramlett said it was a prank with very serious consequences.
"It was basically peer pressure," he said.
Bramlett said they found two Ecstasy pills on the student. He said officials in Raleigh will test the water to see if there are traces of the illegal drug.
"If that's the case, we are taking about felony charges," said Bramlett.
The two ninth-grade students have been suspended for 10 days. They are at home, waiting for the test results.
Authorities said taking the drug Ecstasy can lead to confusion, paranoia, depression and anxiety. Experts said taking it can also lead to increased heart rate, high blood pressure and tremors.
Researchers are studying long-term effects of the drug on the brain.