Oak Bay student dies of suspected overdose

Oak Bay High School parents received notification Friday that a Grade 11 student had died of a suspected drug overdose.

“Unfortunately, we have very sad news to share with you this evening,” reads the letter, which was shared with the Times Colonist by the parent of a student.

“A member of our community … died by an unintentional drug overdose this morning.”

The letter, which names the student, says his parents gave the school permission to share the information with parents.

It says the student was a “member of our community” and attended Oak Bay High School and Mount Douglas Secondary School. Greater Victoria school district superintendent Piet Langstraat was not available for comment on Friday.

The B.C. Coroners Service confirmed late Friday that it is in the early stages of an investigation into the death of a male teenager.

“It would be premature to speculate on any other details … at this time as that is something our fact-finding investigation will determine,” the service said in a statement.

“Due to the privacy of the deceased, we do not confirm or release identity.”

The letter says the district’s critical response team was at the school Friday and will be on site next week to offer counselling support for students.

The school also included handouts to help parents “debrief” with their families and said parents could contact the school if additional support for their child was needed.

Staff will also be given resources to help students.

Classes were not in session at Oak Bay High School on Friday because it was a professional development day for teachers.