Cd'A parents warned about large drug and alcohol-fueled parties

School officials in Coeur d’Alene alerted the parents of high school students Thursday that large parties are being organized through social media where alcohol, drugs and “sanctioned fights” are encouraged.

“We are working with law enforcement and our students to openly discuss the dangers and the impact of drugs and alcohol. These issues, combined with large numbers of uncontrolled teenagers, can have tragic consequences,” said an email message sent to families. “We want to give parents and families the tools and information to help teens make good decisions through open discussions and awareness. We need your help!”

The locations of these large parties are usually not disclosed until the night of an event when attendees meet at a predetermined location, such as a grocery store parking lot, and then travel to a rural area or a vacant home to gather, said the message signed by Laura Rumpler, the district’s communications director.

A recent party in the region had 300 attendees and resulted in two teenagers being treated for alcohol overdoses, the email said. Another party brought an estimated 600 teens from Montana, Washington, and Oregon.

The school district is urging parents to be “in the know” about what their teens are seeing and discussing on social media.

Parents who see anything on social media or hear anything that concerns them are asked to immediately contact school administrators, a school resource officer or any local law enforcement agency.

“Safety in our community is our top priority, especially with our young adults, and it is a responsibility for all of us! Thank you,” Rumpler wrote.