Teen Faces Manslaughter Charge for Alleged Fentanyl Sale at Florida School
In a concerning incident in Florida, a 17-year-old has been charged with manslaughter for allegedly providing a fatal dose of fentanyl to a fellow classmate. The situation has prompted local authorities to emphasize the importance of having Narcan, an anti-overdose medication, readily available in schools.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood expressed his worry, stating, “We’re seeing fentanyl everywhere. This arrest proves it. They’re classmates. They know who to ring up, and they know who’s supplying what.”
The victim was discovered unresponsive in their home with a white powdery substance nearby back in July. The alleged drug dealer was arrested for manslaughter on a Friday night.
Sheriff Chitwood pointed out that the minor defendant appeared to be a frequent drug supplier, with text messages and records indicating multiple instances of selling drugs to the victim, who attended DeLand High School.
Members of the West Volusia Narcotics Task Force apprehended the suspect on July 31. At the time of arrest, he was found in possession of about one gram of fentanyl and one pound of marijuana. Charges included the sale and delivery of fentanyl, possession of cannabis with intent to distribute, and unlawful use of a 2-way communication device.
Sheriff Chitwood quipped, “So clearly he’s an aspiring pharmaceutical salesman.”
Chitwood further suggested that schools should keep Narcan, the anti-overdose medication, available for emergency use. “Any school district that wants to deploy this can do it with no cost,” he emphasized. Narcan can be administered as a nasal spray or injected into muscle or veins, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
This unfortunate incident marked the first reported overdose death within the Volusia County Schools district for the year. At present, Narcan is not part of the district’s standard equipment.