A Washington state sheriff’s office is investigating the alleged inclusion of testosterone vials in a Pride Month display in a school hallway in Graham.
Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputies were sent Monday to Graham-Kapowsin High School to investigate allegations of a “controlled substance” on display at the campus, according to a press release obtained by the Daily Caller. Images of the alleged testosterone vials sparked backlash online, and the school district alleged they identified those responsible.
“Multiple inquiries were received regarding vials of testosterone that had been placed as part of a Pride display in a school hallway. Several of the vials appeared to contain remaining liquid,” the press release read.
“Upon arrival, deputies were informed by school administrators that they had recently become aware of the vials,” the PCSO continued. “School staff stated they were unaware the testosterone vials had been added to the display and had not authorized their placement.”
School administrators also identified the student who put the vials in the display, the agency alleged. “Testosterone is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance under federal law due to its potential for abuse and dependence,” the press release added. (RELATED: How Teachers Unions Help Turn Schools Into Leftist Activist Pipeline, Starting In Kindergarten)
OH. MY. LORD. We were just sent images of the Pride display at Washington’s Graham-Kapowsin High School. It contains vials of testosterone injections. pic.twitter.com/ICa2CLyqUf
— Brandi Kruse (@BrandiKruse) June 6, 2026
The deputies removed the vials and retained them for evidence in the ongoing investigation, according to the PCSO.
Journalist Brandi Kruse posted pictures she said showed the pride display Friday on X. One image focused on a clear container that appeared to hold numerous testosterone vials.
“OH. MY. LORD. We were just sent images of the Pride display at Washington’s Graham-Kapowsin High School,” Kruse wrote. “It contains vials of testosterone injections.”
The display also appeared to include rainbow décor as well as books like “Pink, Blue, and You!” and Dolly Parton’s “I Am a Rainbow,” according to imagery posted by Kruse.
Sheriff Keith Swank responded to Kruse’s post Friday on his personal account. “Pierce County Sheriff’s Office will be investigating this,” he wrote.
Kruse responded to the sheriff by alleging that the vials appeared to be empty except for the one positioned outside the bin.
Testosterone Vial Containing Unknown Liquid (Photo Credit: Pierce County Sheriff’s Office)
Bethel School District (BSD) Director of Communications Douglas Boyles told Fox News Digital the display of the vials was “entirely unauthorized.” The BSD oversees Graham-Kapowskin High School.
“We were made aware of a display at Graham-Kapowsin High School that included empty vials of testosterone as one of its visuals,” Boyles said. “The display also contained some vials that still contained a small amount of unknown liquid.”
“Administrators have removed the vials and identified the individuals responsible for adding them without leadership approval,” he added, emphasizing that the district was “actively reviewing our display oversight protocols.”
“Our primary focus remains on maintaining a safe, respectful, and focused learning environment for all of our students,” he said.
The BSD did not respond to the Caller’s request for comment in time for publication.
X users responded to Kruse’s post by blasting the alleged display of the vials.
Testosterone Vials In Container (Photo Credit: Pierce County Sheriff’s Office)
“During the time my kids went to school, I had to sign a form in triplicate and bury it in peat moss before submitting a request for them to use rescue inhalers at school… But this is cool? Good to know,” one posted.
“Promoting this on a school campus to minors is beyond reprehensible-it’s criminal. ENOUGH!!” another wrote.
“Masculinizing hormone therapy,” or sex change therapy, uses testosterone to help people develop male sex characteristics like a lower-pitched voice, increased muscle mass or growth of facial hair, according to the Mayo Clinic. Testosterone vials are typically injected into muscle so the hormone can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) divides drugs into five different categories or “schedules” based on a drug’s acceptable uses and its potential for abuse or dependency. Schedule III drugs like testosterone have “a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence,” according to the DEA’s official webpage.