Several students in the Beaverton School District have died in the last 18 months. Author: Mike Benner Updated: 7:46 PM PDT April 25, 2021 PORTLAND, Ore. — The last 18 months have rocked the Beaverton School District to its core. Superintendent Don Grotting says drugs and overdoses have led to the sudden deaths of several students. "Teenagers who had hopes and dreams and plans," he said. "These teenagers had families that loved them and are still coming to grips with their losses." These families' unimaginable pain is beyond upsetting to local law enforcement and health officials, but sadly not surprising. "We're seeing an increase in fatal drug overdoses across the metro region and mirroring national trends," said Dr. Jennifer Vines of the Multnomah County Health Department. "We believe counterfeit opioid pills containing fentanyl are driving this trend."