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A New Jersey middle school art teacher has been arrested after he overdosed on fentanyl in front of his students – after they found him unconscious on the floor of the classroom.
Frank Thompson, 57, was charged on Thursday with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and endangering the welfare of children at Roosevelt Intermediate School in Westfield.
A school nurse rushed to the second-floor classroom where Thompson was found unconscious and unresponsive.
The school resource officer, identified as Fortunato Riga, then administered naloxone hydrochloride, also known as Narcan, after he believed the teacher was suffering from an overdose.
Thompson began showing signs of improvement after Riga revived him with the life-saving drug – carried by all Westfield police, including school resource officers – according to Police Chief Christopher Battiloro, Fox News reported.
Frank Thompson, 57, an art teacher at Roosevelt Intermediate School in Westfield, New Jersey was arrested on Thursday after he overdosed on fentanyl in front of his students who found him unconscious on the floor of the classroom
The outside of the middle school that Thompson where students found him unconscious on the classroom floor. He was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and endangering the welfare of children
Authorities said investigators found fentanyl and ‘various items of drug paraphernalia’ in a closet in the classroom.
Thompson is due in Superior court on February 1.
After the disturbing incident, Superintendent Raymond González issued a statement.
‘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,’ Gonzalez said.
‘We are grateful for our strong partnership with the Westfield Police Department.’
Thompson’s Facebook reveals he is from Red Bank, New Jersey, and shows some photos of him with two young children, some photos of art, and him on some type of holiday.
Authorities said investigators found fentanyl and ‘various items of drug paraphernalia’ in a closet in the classroom. The stock image shows a vial of Fentanyl Citrate with ampule, patch, powder and pills
Thompson’s bio is featured on the site of ‘The Teachers’ Westfield, New Jersey
Thompson, who earned his bachelor’s degree in art education from Kean University has been teaching at the Westfield School District for the last ten years, according to the school’s website
According to his bio, he wrote that he started on the elementary level before teaching middle school, and said he was planning to pursue his Master’s in Computer Arts
‘I’ve always loved art. In school, art was the subject I looked forward to the most. As a child I loved to draw. When I got older and gained experience in various mediums I discovered I enjoyed many forms of visual expression, including sculpture, ceramics, weaving, mosaic, and jewelry making,’ Thompson wrote.
‘As a student, first in public school and then college, I can remember the freedom I felt through creative expression and the sense of accomplishment that came from learning a new process or technique.
He also spoke about his passion for art and his reason for becoming an art teacher.
‘ I feel that I can make use of all that involvement in art has to offer, for is what I know best and feel most passionately for. This is why I decided to become an art teacher. Its my strong belief that the active manipulation of the senses that activities in art entail make other subjects more meaningful,’ he said.
‘A quality art experience in conjunction with academics will surely produce a more well-rounded, higher thinking individual. This makes teaching in a town like Westfield, which is so supportive of the arts, a pleasure and a great opportunity.
Westfield School did not respond to DailyMail.com request for comment.
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