In the News:
Amanda Stiles, a sophomore at Parkway High in Shreveport, Louisiana, never gave a second thought to carrying Advil in her purse for her frequent headaches. At least she didn't until a few days ago when she was expelled from school for one year when the Advil was discovered in her purse by a teacher.
Following a tip from a teacher about a student smoking at school, another teacher allegedly identified Miss Stiles as the culprit. When she ran into a restroom, a teacher followed, searched her purse, and discovered no cigarettes, but Advil.
Ken Kruithof, Superintendent of Schools said the school and school board were following the system's "zero tolerance" policy and a state law that that requires the one-year expulsion. State guidelines define include all prescription and nonprescription medications.
However, Betty McCauley, Bossier Schools Student Services Director disagreed with that assessment, saying, "After an investigation and a hearing then, if necessary, punishment is administered. It could be no punishment."
Miss Stiles stated, "I just never thought about
the fact that I could be searched. I think we're old enough to know how many
(pills) we can take without overdosing or being in danger."
Guide Commentary:
This is yet another sad example of ludicrous regulations being made that compromise the rights of all rather than holding individuals accountable for their behavior and actions. Most school systems with such "zero tolerance" policies have them because of illicit drugs on campus. Keeping illlict drugs out is "easier" when all drugs are banned, legal or illegal. It's pathetic indeed when a teenager is expelled from high school for a year for carrying Advil for her headaches. I suspect that the time expended on this case would have been far better spent in teaching the students academic subjects instead of teaching them, through this inane incident, that people in authority would rather set a sweeping, thoroughly nonsensical policy than hold each person accountable.
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Resources:
Brumble, Melody. "Bossier School Board upholds Advil expulsion." The Shreveport Times. December 5, 2003.
