San Francisco health officials warn of fake Xanax

Marcus Walton, spokesman for the West Contra Costa Unified School District, said it was reported around noon Thursday that several students were acting in a concerning manner at the school. “When the students who used the drug return to campus, they will be referred to our on campus comprehensive health clinic for services and providing transition back into the community”.

The drug requires special care when legally prescribed for children, the elderly and pregnant women, and side effects may include drowsiness, dry mouth, slurred speech, and amnesia.

“Our adults responded appropriately, contacting health officials and law enforcement officers”, Walton said. “We will obviously still investigate and find out anything that happened”.

From October 15 to 17, 2015, three individuals between the ages 20 to 40 years were hospitalized after ingesting a pill inscribed and sold as “XANAX”, purchased on the street.

Seven other students have also been suspended by East Bay High when they were found to be intoxicated due to taking Xanax, though authorities did not initially consider that these cases could be linked to street Xanax.

Health officials urge people who obtain prescription drugs on the street to have ready access to narcan.

Coffin is talking about four people who took fake Xanax pills late last week, which they bought on the streets of San Francisco. School officials proceeded to call for an ambulance and police.

A fourth person was found dead with one of the counterfeit pills in their possession. All three suffered complications of opioid overdose, including sedation, weakness in extremities, muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney damage, and fluid in lungs, health department officials said. However, the spokeswoman said the department is advising the public not to take any medication that is not theirs or that is purchased on the street.

Local physicians were alerted about the fake “Xanax” by the Health Department on Thursday.

The incident comes just days after five students in Marin County, north of San Francisco, were sent to the hospital for overdosing on over-the-counter cough medication.