Published October 19, 2006


After buying drugs during class
PHS student has near-fatal overdose

By Dan Pool
A 14-year-old student remains in critical condition following an overdose of illegal drugs purchased during a class at Pickens High School Thursday according to reports from Pickens County Sheriff's Office investigators.
The 14-year-old initially required life support, but the condition of the male student has been upgraded to stable. However, he remained in intensive care and may suffer long-term health problems, according to sheriff's office spokesman Allen Wigington Tuesday.
Chief Deputy Wigington said a person suspected of providing the drugs was arrested and has since confessed.
Wigington said the seller, also a male PHS student, is being held at the Youth Detention Center in Dalton, facing drug distribution charges and special charges placed against those who bring drugs on to school campuses. No names were released as both youths involved are minors.
According to Wigington, the student bought or was given a powdered substance believed to be either Methamphetamine or the drug Ecstasy and some pills of OxyContin. After the student collapsed, some of the substances were found on his person.
Wigington said in powdered form both Meth and Ecstasy register the same on preliminary field tests. The substance found on the student at the hospital has been sent for more detailed testing by the Georgia Crime Lab.
Wigington said the mother of the student had planned to pick him up at 10 a.m. for a regular doctor's appointment. When she arrived at the school, she found her son unsteady on his feet and somewhat incoherent, Wigington said.
The 14-year-old later became combative and then collapsed at the doctor's office and was rushed to Piedmont Mountainside Hospital, according to sheriff reports.
Captain Kim Murphy of the sheriff's office said two witnesses have said they saw the drug transaction during a first period Pre-Algebra class.

 Murphy said the male student who sold the drugs did not appear to have any campus reputation as a "main man" dealer. But Murphy said she heard his name mentioned as a possible supplier along with several other student names during the investigation.
She said she didn't know where the student who sold the drugs obtained them.
Murphy said the parents of both the student who sold the drugs and the student who overdosed cooperated with the investigation.
She said the parents of the student who sold the drugs were surprised at the events. She said they told her you always hear about drugs, but don't think it's in your house.
Wigington said facts uncovered during this episode will cause the sheriff's office to broaden an investigation of drug transactions at the high school.
Major Sherman McEntire said sheriff's office personnel will continue to look at other facts turned up during this investigation which could lead to additional cases. "Suffice it to say that the investigation will continue into other drug transactions at the high school," he said.
Wigington said drug sweeps using dogs had never previously turned up anything at Pickens schools.
"This is a cold investigation, but we are going to heat it back up, and it's our intention to bring the heat," he said.
Wigington urged parents to take suspicions of drug use involving their kids or kids' friends seriously. There is a local drug hotline parents can call: 1-888-328-METH. The number contacts the North Georgia drug task force.
School Superintendent Mike Ballew said high school administrators have held several meetings since the event with different staff members to review what happened and to see if further measures or different procedures are needed.
He said there is already a concentrated effort to keep campuses drug-free and, unfortunately, only so much that can be done.
"Drugs are a universal plague," he said. "We do what we can to keep the campuses free, but we aren't naïve enough to think there is nothing there."