Cameron High School breaks down process of informing students, families following report of nitazenes in wastewater
CAMERON, Mo. (KQTV) -- Cameron High School in Clinton County tested positive for having nitazenes in its wastewater, according to a report sent to KQTV at the end of March.
The testing actually began as a voluntary effort after the school was given the opportunity to participate back in December.
Superintendent Matt Robinson said the first results they reviewed came in February, but at the time, the district was still working with a company to understand what the data really meant.
"We were just getting a percentage, and compared to the other schools which showed a bar graph. We were just try to figure out whether this is a serious problem. Does it mean we have an epidemic in our school?” Robinson said.
Robinson said, because there was still so much uncertainty, the district decided to wait another month before drawing conclusions. Around that time, Robinson said they began hearing more about nitazenes.
He also started receiving emails from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and public safety officials warning about the drug.
Once the test results were confirmed, the school quickly reached out to law enforcement to figure out how to raise awareness among students.
"We had a hit in our system for Nitazenes and that got us worried since this is pretty nasty synthetic drug that makes fentanyl and everything else look less extreme which isn’t good,” Robinson said.
Cameron, along with Crag R-III, where the two high schools who tested positive for nitazenes in wastewater in the Northwest Missouri region.
As a next step, the district contacted Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Shane Hux, who came to the school to give a presentation and educate students and staff.
Families were notified once the results became public, though Robinson said the district had already been preparing to share the information and schedule outreach efforts.
"It is something we strive to do in Cameron just try to make sure our students and staff are protected we felt like this is great way to introduce our public to this,” Robinson said.
While the news concerned many, it also sparked curiosity among parents who wanted to learn more.
Robinson acknowledged that the district doesn’t have all the answers yet, as the situation is still under investigation.
"This is a problem about numbers that equates to ten people and we have a bigger problem on our hands which is why we need to do more drug education,” Robinson.
Sgt. Hux emphasized that nitazenes are part of a growing drug threat.
"One pill can kill. You should only be taking something that is prescribed to you by a doctor and the medication is issued by a licensed pharmacist,” Hux said.
He added how it’s critical for the community to understand the risks, especially as overdose numbers continue to rise. Last year alone, 87 people lost their lives to overdoses Hux said.
Robinson said the district's priority is making sure students have the knowledge and support to make safe choices. If a student is found to have drugs in their system, the goal is to get them tested, treated and back on the right path.
