KINGSTON — The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an alleged incident at Kingston Middle School in which a student reportedly gave drug-laced candy to classmates.

An e-mail informing Kingston Middle School parents and the community was sent out in the morning on Feb. 16 by school Principal Craig Barry. The letter informed of an ongoing investigation of a student who allegedly gave drug-laced candy to fellow students.

At the end of the school day on Feb. 14, school administrators received information “concerning suspicious behavior of a student,” the letter stated. Based on that information, they began an investigation that resulted in the discovery of a student in possession of a “potentially banned/illegal substance,” along with a vape device and vape oils.

The unknown substance was turned over to the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office for further testing, the letter stated.

During the investigation on Feb. 15, “additional concerns were discovered regarding the potential distribution of an amphetamine-like substance on candy” which occurred on Feb. 13, Barry wrote.

“Students who were identified as being in contact with the student and the candy were interviewed and parents notified”

Barry described the candy as “soft, rainbow-colored, sugar-covered.”

“Law enforcement has been contacted and the student found in possession is not attending school pending the outcome of the investigation.”

Barry added, “We are unaware of reports of any students with adverse effects requiring medical attention at this time.”

He encouraged parents to have an open conversation regarding accepting any food or drink not in their original packaging, as well as food or drink from another person.

“We understand that this sort of news can be unsettling for parents, students and staff, and want you to know that safety is our first priority,” Barry wrote.

The incident was still under investigation Feb. 16. Parents or students with any information can contact Barry at Kingston Middle School.

On the North Kitsap Community Facebook site, Kingston parents express anger and concern regarding the time it took for the district to notify parents. Some parents said they learned their children had been offered candy or were feeling ill before they were notified by the school about what allegedly happened.

Kingston Middle School parent Katie Fisher said this is not the first incident in which the North Kitsap School District failed to notify parents in a “timely manner.”

“I cannot believe that the school district didn’t notify parents as soon as possible,” she said.

“This has been the case all year. Other incidents, such as the lockdown last year and all the parents were upset and come to find out it was a construction crew that made gunshot noises but the police were there … We were ill-informed and panicked.”

The North Kitsap School District said Feb. 16 that each situation is unique.

“It’s a delicate balance to ensure information we send out is fact-based, especially during ongoing investigations,” NKSD spokeswoman Jenn Markaryan said. “I know our administrators work as quickly as possible to make sure accurate information gets out.”