NJ Art Teacher Facing Charges After Overdosing On Fentanyl In Front Of Students

A New Jersey art teacher is facing charges after overdosing on fentanyl in front of middle school students back in November. 

Frank Thompson, 57, was arrested on Thursday and charged with endangering the welfare of children, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a disorderly person offense.

Thompson was discovered unconscious in a second-floor classroom at Roosevelt Intermediate School on Nov. 29. When police arrived; he was noted to be in distress in front of students and being treated by a school nurse. 

Exhibiting signs of a drug overdose, one of the responding officers treated Thompson with Naloxone Hydrochloride, also referred to as Narcan. Thompson’s condition began to improve. 

A subsequent investigation revealed “a quantity of a suspected controlled substance” and drug paraphernalia located in a closet inside the classroom, according to the Westfield Police Department.

Thompson is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 1.