BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

MASSENA — Massena High School Principal Alan Oliver says rumors of an overdose at a Homecoming dance that first appeared on Facebook are false.

Following false reports that originated in a 911 dispatch Facebook group, Oliver took to Facebook to clarify the matter and put parents' concerns to rest.

“I don't typically respond to material on social media, but there are rumors circulating today that are both concerning and untrue. I am going to share with you as much as I can without revealing anything I shouldn’t,” Oliver began his post.

According to Oliver, the vast majority of students in attendance had a great time, with only a few minor “normal high school issues” occurring.

Oliver went on to clarify that two students had medical issues believed to be panic attacks at the same time as the event was concluding, leading to a call for assistance.

“One of them was in some real distress and I called 911. Police and the Rescue Squad arrived and treated the students. One went home with their father and I went to MMH with the other until their parent arrived. When the call went out to 911 the word overdose was used and people with scanners heard the call and immediately splashed it all over Facebook and social media,” Oliver wrote.

Following the reports of an overdose, Oliver said he has been contacted multiple times by concerned parents, asking if a student had died based on the earlier Facebook posts.

“This is patently false,” Oliver wrote.

“I spoke (either via text or on the phone) with the families of each student both last night and today. The students are fine and recovering from their issues. Nobody overdosed (or was even under the influence to my knowledge), and everyone is fine,” Oliver wrote.

Oliver concluded his message by saying he was only writing the message in an attempt to “quell the untrue rumors that are circulating today.”