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Former North Andover teacher gave pills to student: DA – Metro US

Former North Andover teacher gave pills to student: DA

Former North Andover teacher gave pills to student: DA
North Andover High Twitter account.

A former teacher and swim team coach at North Andover High School was charged with giving drugs to former students.

According to the Essex County District Attorney’s Office, Elizabeth Backler, 28, was charged with two counts of distribution Class B substance, OxyCodone, and one count of distribution of Class C, Diazepam.

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The DA’s office said these charges stem from her giving out pills, not selling them —which is still considered distribution. She was arrested on Monday.

Backler had worked in the North Andover Public Schools in different capacities from May 2011 to February 2015. She was a daily substitute teacher from May 2011 to April 2012, then worked as a long-term substitute from April 2012 to June 2013. She worked as a science teacher in the 2013-2014 year. She also worked as the school’s swim team coach.

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At the time of her arrest, Backler was not an employee of the schools. A parent told the administrators, who then contacted the School Resource Officer for the North Andover Police. They say that this is an isolated event and it involved one student.

Backler is scheduled for arraignment on Tuesday.