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Candy that sent eight Granbury children to the hospital this month has tested negative for drugs, police say.
Blood tests of the students also showed no evidence of drugs, police Chief Mitch Galvan said in a news release Tuesday.
“It is not known what caused the reported issues with the students, but the testing indicates that it was not caused by any kind of drug,” Galvan said in the news release.
The children fell ill last week after eating candy given to them by a fellow student, but police have not elaborated on what symptoms the children reported. Four of the students were transported to an area hospital by paramedics; the other four were taken by parents.
The candy initially tested negative for THC, the substance in marijuana that makes people feel high, but it was sent to a Drug Enforcement Agency laboratory in Dallas for further testing.
Granbury is about 40 miles southwest of Fort Worth.
In a letter to families last week, principal Andy Smith said the school will review existing protocols and implement any necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future. Smith also asked families to talk to their children about making responsible choices when it comes to accepting or eating something unfamiliar.
“We are taking every step necessary to ensure the safety of our students and prevent any future occurrences,” the letter read. “We understand the seriousness of this matter and are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for your children.”
This is not the first time drug-laced candy has emerged as a concern. A trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety confiscated several packages of THC-laced candy during a traffic stop earlier this year in Harris County.