Concern Over Cannabis Edibles at Junior High: A Parent’s Heart-Wrenching Experience

The conversation surrounding cannabis consumption among minors has recently intensified following a distressing incident at Caledonia Junior High School in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. A concerned parent, Ashley Ryder, has voiced her alarm and frustration after her 12-year-old son was rushed to the hospital after consuming cannabis edibles without her knowledge.

A Disturbing Situation Unfolds

The incident unfolded on a Tuesday when Ashley Ryder received a voicemail from the school. The message, which she shared with Global News, indicated that her son Quinten had admitted to consuming THC-infused gummies given to him by another student. The school message concluded with the unsettling phrase, “I’m not entirely sure what’s going on here.”

Feeling alarmed, Ryder attempted to contact the school for further information but received no response. By the time Quinten arrived home on the school bus, his mother realized something was amiss.

“He was spacey when he was speaking. He was very slurred,” Ryder described, emphasizing her immediate concern. According to experts at the Atlantic Canada Poison Centre Team, these symptoms are indicative of an overdose, particularly in children.

Understanding the Risks of Cannabis Edibles

Jill Duncan, team lead at the Atlantic Canada Poison Centre, stated that common signs of cannabis ingestion in children include drowsiness, slurred speech, and muscle weakness. “If anyone ever thinks a child could have gotten into a cannabis edible, we would recommend calling the poison centre,” Duncan advised, highlighting the necessity for prompt medical assessment in such cases.

A Hasty Hospital Visit

Worried about her son’s medical history and current condition, Ryder decided to seek immediate assistance. Despite the lack of detailed information, she called for an Uber and rushed her son to the IWK Health Centre, a leading children’s hospital in Halifax.

Upon evaluation, medical staff confirmed that Quinten had indeed experienced an overdose. “They said it was an overdose and they ran an EKG,” Ryder recounted. The experience proved traumatic for both mother and son, especially given Quinten’s fear of needles.

Further Complications and Ongoing Concerns

Although Quinten was discharged later that night, he found himself back in the emergency room the following day due to chest pains. These events underscored the seriousness of the situation and placed Ryder in a challenging position as a parent.

School’s Response and Actions Moving Forward

In the aftermath, Ashley Ryder took it upon herself to inform the school that her son had an overdose under their supervision. However, she described the school’s response as dismissive, stating that they failed in their duty of care during the incident, especially by not contacting emergency services immediately when they noticed something was wrong.

Feeling let down by the school’s handling of the incident, Ryder has not only filed a police report but is also contemplating legal action. “This could have been a fatal outcome. I am very, very thankful it was not. However, they were negligent with my son,” she expressed.

Official Statements and Future Protections

In response to the situation, the Halifax Regional Centre for Education issued a statement to Global News, indicating that school administration was already aware of the potential ingestion of cannabis edibles and that the situation was being “closely monitored.”

The spokesperson for the school emphasized that “The safety of our students and staff is a top priority,” and assured that those who pose a threat to the well-being of others will face appropriate consequences under the Provincial School Code of Conduct.

Conclusion

This alarming incident serves as a critical reminder about the dangers of cannabis edibles, especially among young people who may not fully understand the consequences of their actions. It triggers important conversations around student safety, parental awareness, and the responsibility of schools to uphold the health and safety of their students.