LEANDER, Texas — Leander ISD is mourning the loss of a student who investigators believe died from fentanyl poisoning.
In a letter to families, Leander High School said 11th grader Zarek McMeekin died on Saturday, Dec. 16. Counselors and social workers will be available at Leander High School on Monday, Dec. 18, and Tuesday, Dec. 19, to assist any student in need.
The Williamson County Sheriff's Office released a statement calling it a "heartbreaking loss."
“This devastating incident serves as a poignant reminder that the specter of drugs looms not only on the outskirts of our neighborhoods but permeates through the hallways of our educational institutions,” the WCSO said. “In the face of this tragedy, we are compelled to rally together as a community to take decisive action in educating our students about the inherent dangers and working collaboratively to ensure their safety.”
In response to this student's death, officials with the sheriff's office and a task force are working to fight the spread of dangerous drugs in the community. The Williamson County Overdose Task Force consists of local organizations, including Texas Against Fentanyl, Bluebonnet Trails Community Services, Drug Enforcement Agency and Rise Recovery Services.
“As a community, we are called upon to unite against the pervasive threat of drugs, to honor the memory of the lives we have lost and to prevent further senseless losses,” the WCSO said. “It is our collective responsibility to foster an environment that prioritizes education, open communication and support for those in need.”