CH> Rich, I think that when a school administration is faced
CH> with a  legitimate claim of need for medication it must,
CH> consistent with concerns for the safety of other children
I would have thought so too if I hadn't gone through
what I had to go through.  As I have said the only
thing they responded to was the threat of a MAJOR law
suit.
I did everything I could before hand.  I told them that
it was necessary for the drug, an asthma inhalant, to
be administered as fast as possible as the on set of an
attack.  Any delay could result in a minor attack
turning into a major attack which is a life threatening
situation.  I explained that the drug was perfectly
safe.  I told them that even if a kid STOLE it from her
and used it there was NO danger.  I told them I could
have her doctor put all this in writing.  They just
looked at me and said; "Students are not allowed to
have any medications on them at any time.  All
medications must be kept in the office."
The really funny thing, to me anyway, is that they
changed the rule this school year but we have changed
my daughter's meds and she no longer has to carry it
with her.  At least another parent would go through
what I had to.
Sorry I still get incredibly urinated off every time I
think about it.  The "I'm just following orders."
mentality!!!!!!!!!
CH> come up with a reasonable solution. (e.g. drugs held in
CH> nurses office and administered there; or nurse has knowledge
CH> of situation and responds immediately in an
CH> emergency........or if absolutely neccessary, drugs are
CH> carried by the student.
See you are using common sense, they were using the ZT
rule.
CH> As for the student who gives a sugar pill, in a school
CH> setting it is not so much wanting to prosecute or punish the
CH> child as it is wanting to protect all the children.  Neither
CH> the administration or either child really knows 100% what is
CH> in that sugar pill; and that is the evil to be protected
I know this and I think he should be punished but not
in the same way as someone who was giving out crack.
I'm willing to bet if he was just taken into the
principal's office, had mom or dad called in and
informed of WHY what he did was wrong and could be
dangerous in other circumstances he would have
understood and never done it again.
This would have done the same thing as expelling him
and made a LOT more since (there's THAT word again).
                      Remember:  Freedom isn't Free!
--- timEd-B11
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