NJ Teacher Overdoses On Fentanyl In Front Of Students, Drugs Found In Classroom

A New Jersey art teacher was charged on Thursday after he reportedly overdosed in front of students in November last year.

Frank Thompson, a 57-year-old teacher at Roosevelt Intermediate School in Westfield, was discovered in a second-floor classroom, just after 9 a.m. on Nov. 29, 2022, according to the Westfield Police Department. Thompson was reportedly unconscious and unresponsive during that time.

Police said that the teacher was first noticed to be in distress by students, and he was being treated by a school nurse when the officers arrived, the New York Post reported.

A responding police officer observed and recognized signs that shows the teacher was overdosing on drugs. He proceeded to inject Thompson with naloxone hydrochloride, or Narcan, an opioid overdose treatment, police said. All Westfield police officers are equipped with Narcan.

Thompson then displayed signs of improvement, according to police. An investigation followed, wherein police discovered fentanyl and paraphernalia in the classroom closet.

Thompson was charged Thursday with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, endangering the welfare of children and a disorderly person offense.

He is reportedly set to appear in court on Feb. 1.

"While the Westfield Public School District cannot comment on personnel matters which are confidential, we will maintain a continued focus on student and staff safety and on preserving the integrity of the classroom learning environment," Superintendent Dr. Raymond González said. "We are grateful for our strong partnership with the Westfield Police Department."

Meanwhile, the school district informed parents that the classroom was sealed off and sanitized, Fox 5 reported.

The classes were temporarily moved to a different location, and a former teacher returned to help in administering the flow of instruction.

As of this writing, it is unclear whether Thompson is still an employee under the Westfield Public School District.