# New Jersey Teacher Overdoses on Fentanyl In Front of Middle School Students

By Celine Ryan Ciccio · Published 2023-01-10 · News & Analysis › Culture · https://humanevents.com/news/new-jersey-teacher-overdoses-on-fentanyl-in-front-of-middle-school-students

> A subsequent search of Thompson’s classroom revealed a suspected controlled substance and drug paraphernalia being kept in the closet.

A New Jersey Middle school art teacher has been [arrested](https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/nj-art-teacher-overdoses-on-fentanyl-in-front-of-middle-school-students/4037126/) on drug charges and for endangering the welfare of children after police say he overdosed on fentanyl in the middle of class.    A school resource officer called Westfield police after students found Frank Thompson, 57, “in distress.” The resource officer reported Thompson as unconscious and unresponsive at the time of the call.

A subsequent search of Thompson’s classroom revealed a suspected controlled substance and drug paraphernalia being kept in the closet.

Resource officer Fortunato Riga administered Narcan to Thompson. A school nurse was tending to Thompson when police arrived.

“The swift actions of Officer Riga, who is on-site at Roosevelt Intermediate each school day, proved instrumental in maintaining the safety of the students and administering potentially life-saving measures to Mr. Thompson," [said](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/art-teacher-frank-thompson-arrested-fentanyl-overdose-students-westfield-new-jersey/) Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro.

Overdoses from synthetic opiates like Fentanyl have quickly become a [leading cause](https://humanevents.com/2022/10/27/the-fentanyl-overdose-epidemic-how-a-hydra-of-multinational-drug-cartels-has-orchestrated-a-symphony-of-destruction-on-america) of death in America. The highly concentrated drug has a 2mg lethal dose per person.

Although fentanyl made its deadly American debut as a substance cut into common street drugs by cartels, many [recent reports](https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/feared-illicit-fentanyl-now-drug-choice-many-opioids-users-rcna40418) indicate that individuals are now seeking out the substance as their drug of choice.