Parents of nine Dorchester County, South Carolina students are furious after an elementary school sent their children home for candy mistaken as an illegal drug.
Last week, school officials caught the nine with a mixture of sugar and Kool-Aid powder commonly called “happy crack.” Officials claim that the students — around the age of 10 — were in possession of drugs and violated Eagle Nest Elementary’s drug policy.
According to South Carolina news outlet WCIV ABC 4 News, students were accused of marketing and distributing the candy and sent home immediately. One unidentified parent tells ABC 4 in a Nov. 1 interview that she did not know what “happy crack” was, and when she found out she was appalled by the overreaction.
“The way she called me, I thought my son died,” she says. “She said there’s this epidemic going on at school with happy crack. I Googled it. I’m like Kool-Aid and sugar, are you serious? I was appalled … floored. I really didn’t think it would go to this extent.”
She recalls telling administrators that students have brought pixie sticks with a similar mixture without any issues.
Her child and others faced a Level Three infraction that could result in expulsion. However, the woman interviewed told reporters that all students have had hearings and had their Level Three offenses reduced to a Level One. This means students can possibly return to school in the coming days.
Furthermore, the woman’s child will reportedly be on a probationary status with the district and will be able to return to school Thursday.
