Chapin High School Incident Raises Concerns

Chapin, S.C. – Medical Incident Raises Concerns at Chapin High School

A recent medical incident at Chapin High School has stirred concerns among parents and community members following rumors of a possible fentanyl exposure.

What Happened?

On Wednesday morning, around 11:30 a.m., a school resource officer (SRO) began searching a backpack that had been left in a classroom. During this process, the officer started to feel chest pains and experienced shortness of breath. Reports from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department (LCSD) indicated that several other school staff also reported feelings of dizziness and light-headedness after coming into contact with the bag.

Emergency Response

Out of an abundance of caution, school officials immediately notified authorities, including the LCSD, Lexington Fire Department, and the Lexington County Hazardous Materials Unit. Shortly after, around 1 p.m., the Hazardous Materials Unit examined the backpack.

Findings and Clear Status

Fortunately, after testing, officials found no hazardous materials in the bag. Chapin High School received the all-clear status by 1:45 p.m.. All staff members involved in the search, including the SRO, received on-site medical attention and were cleared to return to their duties.

Clarifying the Rumors

Principal Ed Davis sent an email to parents, addressing the incident and the subsequent rumors. He clarified that there were no direct accounts, police reports, or incident reports confirming any exposure to fentanyl or other dangerous substances. Despite community discussions about the possibility of fentanyl being involved, school officials noted they were uncertain how these rumors began.

Unrelated Medical Emergency

Additionally, officials noted an unrelated incident that occurred the same day, where emergency services responded to a student experiencing a medical emergency. Details about this incident have not been disclosed.

This event at Chapin High School highlights the importance of clear communication during incidents of concern. Parents and community members are encouraged to stay informed and not jump to conclusions without verified information.