Upstate, NY Superintendent Warns Students and Parents of Fentanyl Laced Vapes

Upstate, NY Superintendent Sends Vape Warning to Students and Parents

On Monday May 19th, 2025, the Coxsackie-Athens Central School District took to Facebook to share a "Important Health & Safety Update from Superintendent Randall Squier."

In the statement Superintendent Randall wrote "In an effort to care for and protect our students, I feel it is necessary to pass this along."

Randall goes on to describe a scary moment that occurred in a Central New York school that involved a student and a vape. A student was allegedly using a marijuana vape and indicated they inhaled once.

After they inhaled, Randall, explains the student collapsed in the hallway "and needed to be provided with live-saving care, including multiple doses of NARCAN."

Later the vape was tested and ended up testing positive for Fentanyl.

Randall writes:

The last thing any of us wants to do is to call out and tell you that your child is not breathing, that we are administering NARCAN, and EMS is en route. Whether you think your child engages in this behavior or not; whether you have had this conversation 100 times or not, please have this conversation with your child (again) in the context of this incident.

You can read his full statement below:

Central NY Student Inhales Fentanyl Laced Vape

According to CNYCentral.com, the above mentioned incident occurred at Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES in Tompkins County, New York.

In a letter sent to parents Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES wrote "Our team responded swiftly and appropriately, prioritizing the well-being of the student involved while taking steps to ensure the safety of all students in the community."

They go on to explain that the student believed they were using a marijuana vape. It was later learned that the vape was purchased at an "independent convenience store not permitted to sell marijuana. "

DROPTHEVAPE New York State Vape Quitting Initiative

In January 2025, the New York State Department of Health launched the  "Nicotine Equals" campaign that depicts the impact of youth nicotine addiction from vaping.

If there is a young person in your life who needs help to quit vaping, New York State joined the Truth Imitative specifically for young people aged 13-24 called DROPTHEVAPE. 

Those interested can join the free service by texting DROPTHEVAPE to 88709.