CALEXICO — The teens who overdosed on prescription medication here Wednesday night are in much more stable conditions, authorities said Friday.
Three of the four teens who were hospitalized are now in stable conditions and off ventilators, with an expected release sometime this weekend, Calexico police Lt. Gonzalo Gerardo said.
A boy is still under observation as he comes in and out of consciousness, but he is expected to be released sometime next week as he is in stable condition as well, he said.
Four teens, two boys and two girls, were airlifted to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego in critical condition after taking 10-milligram pills of Baclofen, a muscle relaxant, Gerardo said.
The teens, ranging in age from 14 to 17 years, were initially found in the spa section of an apartment complex in the 1100 block of Rosas Street at about 11 p.m.
Although the teens have reached a stable condition, Gerardo said it is unknown what type of lifelong effects the incidents may cause them.
“It’s fortunate that this outcome came out the way it did, but it’s unclear the type of long-term future health effects they may have after this,” he said.
The number of pills consumed by the teens is still unknown. However, Gerardo maintains that the teens consumed at least more than one pill.
“They’re muscle relaxer pills; they’re not as strong but do the same as opium does. That’s why they acted that way,” Gerardo said.
The incident is still being investigated by the Calexico Police Department as many questions have yet to be answered.
“We are taking this investigation very seriously. We haven’t spoken to the kids, but we want to get a confirmation on where they obtained the pills,” he said.
It is still unclear if Wednesday’s case is at all related to the three teen overdoses in Holtville earlier this week. However, Gerardo believes that many teens and parents need to become more aware of the effects of drugs regardless of a relation.
“Parents can’t leave any type of prescription drugs out around kids and teens. There’s a lot of stress and influences on kids to use drugs; the parents need to step it up,” he said.
Efforts to reach Imperial County sheriff’s officials involved in the Holtville cases have proved unsuccessful.
Staff Writer Celeste Alvarez can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at calvarez@ivpressonline.com
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