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WEST JORDAN — Some middle school students in West Jordan face potential criminal charges, in addition to school discipline, for allegedly handing out prescription medication taken from their parents' homes.
On Tuesday, a teacher at Joel P. Jensen Middle School, 8105 S. 3200 West, observed suspicious behavior happening in a classroom.
"They witnessed what appeared to be a handoff," said West Jordan Police Sgt. Joe Monson.
After taking several students to the office to be questioned by school administrators and police, it was determined that two students had taken prescription medications from their parents' homes, brought them to school and handed pills out to four other students during the last class period of the day, Monson said.
Paramedics were called to the school to check out the six students. None of them were transported to a hospital, Monson said.
He did not identify the medication Wednesday. The two students who handed out the pills could now potentially be charged with drug distribution, he said.
Neither police nor the Jordan School District revealed much information about the students, including how old they are, what grade they are in, or whether it was all boys or girls or a mix involved.
Joel P. Jensen Middle School teaches students in grades 7 through 9.
Jordan School District spokesman Steve Dunham said the students face possible discipline per district guidelines, but declined to say what the punishments might be or even if the students were back in class Wednesday.
"They will be facing appropriate consequences," Dunham said.
The district sent a letter home to all parents encouraging them, as well as grandparents, to properly secure all prescription medications in their homes.
Monson reminded residents that West Jordan will be participating in National Take Back Day on April 30. It's a day set aside each year for people to take their unused and unwanted prescription medications to a designated safe place for disposal.
Contributing: Jed Boal
