4th-grader brings melatonin to school

A fourth-grader brought melatonin pills to her elementary school in Colorado Springs and shared them with classmates.

Widefield School District 3 says it happened at Webster Elementary School.

Melatonin is a natural supplement used to fall asleep. It can be found on the shelves of any drug or grocery store.

“It’s quite concerning and a very dangerous thing. It could have been something other than melatonin,” school nurse Mary Beth Thomas said.

“What if it wasn’t melatonin. What if it was oxycodone or something the kids had an allergic reaction to,” a concerned mother, Danielle Newhouse, said.

“A couple of the kids came to the health room saying they were sleepy. We’re lucky that nobody had a complication. I think it’s a wake up call for parents,” said Thomas.

“Administration took action and contacted all parents involved, including the student who brought the pills to school,” said Samantha Briggs, spokesperson for school district 3.

“It’s scary. I have a daughter at Webster Elementary. I think maybe a newsletter should have gone out. We weren’t contacted at all,” said mother, Christina Mcgeehan.

“A lot of things are natural, that doesn’t mean they’re harmless. Something as simple as a gummy bear vitamin when taken enough doses can lead to an emergency,” said Thomas.

That’s why supplements and even vitamins need to be locked away from children.

“We have a zero drug tolerance policy, as do most school districts,” said Thomas.

Fortunately all the students involved are fine. District 3 calls this a rare incident.