By Darrin Nelson Posted June 9, 2016
For many school districts, it is common policy to prohibit staff members from giving medication to students. Of course, a school nurse, under specific circumstances can do so. But why can’t a staff member, who is supposed to care for kids, alleviate a child’s pain with the simple act of giving them some pain reliever?
There are many dangers and consequences to providing students with headache relief medication. For example, a student could overdose on the drug and then sue the school. Also, a student may be allergic to a drug in the drug and could then end up in the hospital. These are just some of the possible outcomes.
Although there can be consequences to giving students medication, students can benefit from having pain-killing drugs readily available. For example, if someone smashes a finger in a door the only thing the school can do is give him an ice pack. Sure an ice pack will help with the swelling but what about the actual pain? Another example that happens sometimes and also happened recently, what if a person drops a weight on themselves. How can an ice pack help you with that possibility?
Lowry’s nurse, Cherese Fifield, said what she could do for students if they were in pain.
“The policy here at Lowry is that the student must have a signed permission slip on file in order for me to give them and Ibuprofen or Tylenol. When a student requests any medicine for body pain, headache, etc. I try and ask all the important questions if it’s an injury how did it happen, how long, do they need ice, are your parents aware, etc. If it’s for a headache again I try and ask did you eat, are you drinking enough water and did you get enough sleep,” said Fifield
Students can request to have an ice pack if they so desire. Also, if students don’t have a signed permission slip Mrs. Fifield must call and get verbal permission to administer Ibuprofen or other pain-killing drugs.
The school’s policy that is currently in use is providing the students with everything they need to eliminate any pain or injuries that might happen at the school.
