ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, July 11, 1996 TAG: 9607110072
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
Several leaders in the Parent-Teacher Association said Wednesday they support Roanoke's policy of prohibiting students from taking over-the-counter medicines at schools without the knowledge and supervision of school officials.
"I think it's a good idea for the schools to know what students are taking," said JoAnn Hamidullah, president of the Central PTA Council. "A child, especially a small one, might take too much medicine if they have it in their possession."
Hamidullah said she has been aware that the policy covers both prescription and nonprescription drugs, although School Board member John Saunders said earlier this week he didn't know it covered over-the-counter medicines.
Superintendent Wayne Harris said both prescription and nonprescription medicines can be taken at schools only with the knowledge of school officials and a signed request from the parents or guardians. The medication must be given to school officials, who in turn dispense it to students.
Roanoke schools also require a physician's written order to dispense prescription medicines.
Salem and Roanoke County school officials said Wednesday they have similar policies for prescription and nonprescription medicines. But the county's procedure for high school students differs in one respect from those of Roanoke and Salem: It allows students to self-administer over-the-counter medicine if they have a letter from their parents and doctor on file with school officials.
James Gallion, the county's assistant superintendent, said a health advisory committee is reviewing the county's policy this summer.
He said the policy likely will be made more restrictive.
At county elementary schools, all medicines must be turned over to school officials with written permission and authorization from the parents and doctors before they can be dispensed.
In Salem, both prescription and nonprescription medicines are kept in locked cabinets and dispensed only by school officials, said Lewis Romano, director of pupil personnel services. "Medications are never allowed in any classrooms."
Kathy Glassbrenner, president of the Patrick Henry PTA in Roanoke, said she was concerned about any medical emergencies that might arise from students using aspirin and other nonprescription drugs.
Some children are allergic to aspirin, she said. If such children had a headache, she said, friends with aspirin at school who are trying to help them might given them one.
Glassbrenner said she has had three children in city schools and she backs the policy that applies to both prescription and non-prescription drugs.
"This is an important issue and I think everyone is aware of the need to tighten up the control over medications," she said.
Martha Gregory, president of the Woodrow Wilson Middle School PTA in Roanoke, said she thinks "it is probably best in this day and time" to have the same controls over both prescription and nonprescription drugs.
"It is easier and simpler for school officials to have one policy for all medicines," Gregory said. "With all of the responsibility that school officials have, that is probably best." |By JOEL TURNER| |STAFF WRITER|
Several leaders in the Parent-Teacher Association said Wednesday they support Roanoke's policy of prohibiting students from taking over-the-counter medicines at schools without the knowledge and supervision of school officials.
"I think it's a good idea for the schools to know what students are taking," said JoAnn Hamidullah, president of the Central PTA Council. "A child, especially a small one, might take too much medicine if they have it in their possession."
Hamidullah said she has been aware that the policy covers both prescription and non-prescription drugs, although School Board member John Saunders said earlier this week he didn't know it covered over-the-counter medicines.
Superintendent Wayne Harris said both prescription and non-prescription medicines can be taken at schools only with the knowledge of school officials and a signed request from the parents or guardians. The medication must be given to school officials who in turn dispense it to students.
Roanoke schools also require a physician's written order to dispense prescription medicines.
Salem and Roanoke County school officials said Wednesday they have similar policies for prescription and non-prescription medicines. But the county's procedure for high school students differs in one respect from those of Roanoke and Salem: It allows students to self-administer over-the-counter medicine if they have a letter from their parents and doctor on file with school officials.
James Gallion, the county's assistant superintendent, said a health advisory committee is reviewing the county's policy this summer.
He said the policy will likely be made more restrictive.
At county elementary schools, all medicines must be turned over to school officials with written permission and authorization from the parents and doctors before they can be dispensed.
In Salem, both prescription and non-prescription medicines are kept in locked cabinets and dispensed only by school officials, said Lewis Romano, director of pupil personnel services. "Medications are never allowed in any classrooms."
Kathy Glassbrenner, president of the Patrick Henry PTA in Roanoke, said she was concerned about any medical emergencies that might arise from students using aspirin and other non-prescription drugs.
Some children are allergic to aspirin, she said. If such children had a headache, she said, friends with aspirin at school who are trying to help them might given them one.
Glassbrenner said she has had three children in city schools and she backs the policy that applies to both prescription and non-prescription drugs.
"This is an important issue and I think everyone is aware of the need to tighten up the control over medications," she said.
Martha Gregory, president of the Woodrow Wilson Middle School PTA in Roanoke, said she thinks "it is probably best in this day and time" to have the same controls over both prescription and non-prescription drugs.
"It is easier and simpler for school officials to have one policy for all medicines," Gregory said. "With all of the responsibility that school officials have, that is probably best."
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