Late last night both the Queen Creek Police Department (QCPD) and the Queen Creek Fire and Medical Department (QCFMD) responded to Canyon State Academy "for reports of students having a medical emergency" that appears today to be a suspected drug overdose that has left one student dead and two others hospitalized.
Canyon State Academy, located in Queen Creek at 20061 S. Rittenhouse Road, is a private residential school serving male youth between the ages of 11-17 with a history of delinquent behaviors, dependent/neglectful backgrounds, mild mental and emotional health issues and special education needs.
"Three students were transported and unfortunately one died at the hospital. The individual who passed away is a 16 year old male. QCPD is investigating this as a possible overdose; the investigation is ongoing," said Constance Halonen‑Wilson, communications and marketing manager for the Town of Queen Creek, adding that the "initial call came in at approximately 10:40 p.m." on Monday, Oct. 3.
