All seven high school students who overdosed on illegal Russian drugs bought over the internet have been expelled.
Paramedics were called to Saint Stephen’s College on the Gold Coast last month after the year ten boys had gone in and out of consciousness.
The teenagers, who were all hospitalised, have been expelled.
Headmaster Jamie Dorrington the ‘seven boys will no longer be attending Saint Stephen’s.
All seven high school students who overdosed on illegal Russian drugs bought over the internet have been expelled
Headmaster Jamie Dorrington the ‘seven boys will no longer be attending Saint Stephen’s
‘As you are aware, they all returned home by the start of this week, at which point I arranged meetings with them and their parents at school, in order to discuss their situation and apply the school’s Drugs Misuse Policy,’ he told the Gold Coast Bulletin on Friday.
‘I believe all of the boys were sorry for the impact of their actions on themselves, their families and the school.
‘I ask that the College community accept that these boys made a mistake, which they themselves accept, and we, as a supportive community, need not embarrass them further.’
The expulsion comes after seven students, aged 14 and 15, were hospitalised after overdosing on Russian ‘wonder drug’ Phenibut on school grounds at suburban Upper Coomera on February 21.
The final student was released from hospital on Tuesday, after being in a critical condition.
Police have confirmed a toxicology report identifies the drug the Gold Coast students ingested was Russian ‘wonder drug’ Phenibut.
The ‘Russian wonder drug’: What’s phenibut?
Phenibut is a central nervous system depressant used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
It was first made in Russia in the 1960s and is marketed in the US as a dietary supplement designed to ‘help keep you calm’.
On February 1 Australia became the first country to make it illegal due to health concerns.
It is said to be highly addictive with side effects including headaches and depression.
Before the ban, it was easy to buy online without a prescription as a nutritional supplement in powder.
Six boys aged 15 and one aged 14 were rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital after falling ill at the college.
Originally four of the seven were fighting for their lives, however the condition of another later worsened.
Sources told the Gold Coast Bulletin that one student was so ill that ‘he was taken off life support but had to be put back on’.
In a letter to parents on Tuesday, Saint Stephens headmaster Jamie Dorrington said the seventh teenager had ‘recovered and returned home,’ Newscorp reported.
‘It goes without saying that the last few weeks have been very challenging for every member of the SSC community. I thank the people who have actively supported the students, their families and the school through these difficult times,’ he wrote.
‘I ask each of you to put yourself in the shoes of these boys’ parents. They are good parents who do their best to care for their children, but their sons have done something that they all regret.’
The next step, he said, will be to deal with the issue while taking into consideration the school’s policies and procedures, and without ‘reference to public opinion’.
Four teenage boys were in critical condition and three others were hospitalised
Mr Dorrington said he had spoken with Queensland Police and did not believe other students had used the drugs at school, but believes the illicit substance was going around the wider community and was being used socially.
The teenagers were ‘giddy and nauseous’ and one was having ‘trouble with consciousness.’
Reportedly taking the drugs on their lunch break, the group filmed themselves swallowing the pills and posted the footage to Snapchat.
Paramedics were called to the school at 12.48pm and staff reacted quickly, possibly saving the lives of some students.
Saint Stephen’s College teaches students from Kindergarten to Year 12.
Five year 10 boys were left fighting for their lives at Gold Coast University Hospital (pictured) and two others were hospitalised after the mass drug overdose on school premises
Paramedics were called to Saint Stephen’s College on Wednesday February 21
Six boys aged 15 and one aged 14 were rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital after falling ill (pictured)