At least 13 students from a school in the capital of Norte de Santander had health problems following meeting a challenge on social networks that involved the consumption of the pill known as Viagra, for which they were transferred to a medical center where they were hospitalized, according to the local newspaper The opinion.
The events would have taken place at the Colegio San Bartolomé, where young people between the ages of 14 and 15, belonging to the ninth grade, they ingested passion fruit juice with the aforementioned medication in the middle of the time set aside for rest; however, following these began to suffer from side effects, in which tachycardia was evidenced, then they were transferred to the Atalaya polyclinic, a care center in the area, where they would be under medical observation.
Given this scenario, the rector of the school, Astrid Leonor Álvarez, issued a statement to the public in which she asks parents to teach young people to use social networks correctly, so that they do not fall into this type of challenges that can compromise your health.
“Due to the situation, the institution proceeded to activate the care route to resolve atypical behaviors that affect the good image of the institution. I urge parents to guide, accompany and monitor their children on the proper management and use of social networks”, the official stated in the letter.
And added that “The incident was dealt with immediately; therefore, the headquarters is operating in complete normality”, emphasizing that the students were attended quickly and the classes in the educational establishment continued without alterations.
This is not the first time that a similar case has happened, since in mid-February of the current year six students between the ages of 10 and 14 were also intoxicated, but in Piojó, Atlántico, apparently following ingesting a drink mixed with viagra at the San Antonio Educational Institute, following a social media challenge.
Given what happened, Jennifer Ripoll, Secretary of Health of Piojó, said that medical attention had only been given to a minor from the municipal seat. Meanwhile, some parents reported symptoms of intoxication in other minors. “We have only treated one child and it no longer had effects. The signs on it are in good condition. We have not received any more children,” said Ripoll.
According to local media and external statements, the case began to be investigated with the aim of clarifying the facts. “It is believed that the older children found the pills due to parental carelessness. There is not much detailed information on the case.explained Ripoll in the newspaper The Herald.
It was also reported that an eleventh-grade youth was the one who had allegedly mixed the medicine with a carbonated drink and then those involved would have drunk the mixture; however, the oldest student would have done it to see the reaction of the other minors.
“It was a game that shared the soda. I have a daughter in 11th grade and her drink was sent to her and her brother drank it by accident. The other affected, classmates from the 11th grade, one of them came to the rectory and said that she had symptoms and that she felt the bitter soda, ”said a parent for Blu Radio.
