By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- Village police are investigating a student who allegedly provided the prescription drug Xanax to four or five classmates at school, some of whom were subsequently hospitalized, according to Massena Police Chief Timmy Currier.

Xanax is prescribed to treat anxiety disorders.

“The investigation is ongoing, charges are pending,” Currier said.

Currier said he was notified late Tuesday morning that the rescue squad was responding to a “medical situation” at Massena high. He said the students’ ages range from 15 to 18.

Currier said he doesn’t know what level of charge the student will face.

“We won’t know that until we see the entire picture,” Currier said.

He would not comment on the age of the student who allegedly distributed the pills.

New York state law says the student would face a charge of criminal sale of a controlled substance. The least severe controlled substance sale charge is fifth-degree, which is a felony punishable by state prison time.

If the student who allegedly distributed the drugs is underage and charged with a crime, a judge could decide to grant youthful offender status which would spare any potential prison time and seal the records and court proceedings.

Interim Massena Central Superintendent of Schools William Crist could not be reached for comment.