WACO (April 20, 2009)--The Waco Independent School District is responding after nine G.W. Carver Academy students were sent to the hospital after they took a combination of five different prescription drugs that one of the students brought to class last Thursday.

The school district says it has drug awareness programs all year long, but after such an incident it says it is readdressing the issue with students.

Carver Principal Pamela Correa said a drug awareness assembly is set for later this week and Waco ISD Director of Student Services Liz Harris said she and her counseling staff will take the opportunity to provide the same information to all the district's students.

Meanwhile some parents are calling on other parents in the community to step up efforts when it comes to steering children away from drugs.

"The parents - I say it's the parents because they should know better to put them up where they can't reach them, or where the kids can't get them,” said Gloria Luera of Waco, who’s a grandmother.

Jill Badue says she goes a step beyond that with her children.

“If I take them, I take them in private. It's not a broadcasted thing in front of the kids. And I explain the pills' purpose,” she said.

Waco ISD police identified three of the drugs the student took to school last Thursday as the semi-synthetic opioid painkiller hydrocodone, the allergy medication promethazine and the pain-reliever ibuprofen, the district said.

Officials figured out what had happened after a teacher noticed one student who looked groggy and faint and who was unresponsive to the teacher’s questions.

The nine students were taken to the hospital where they were checked out.

They were all later released to their parents.

The student who distributed the drugs to classmates has been charged with distribution of dangerous drugs, the Waco ISD said, and has been referred to McLennan County juvenile authorities.

The eight who took the drugs face disciplinary measures and hearings have been scheduled for all eight, the school district said.

Carver Principal Pam Correa sent a letter home to parents explaining the situation and announcing that the school will hold drug awareness assemblies this Thursday.