Just Say No To Asthma Inhalers

Posting Date: 04/30/1999

I?ve talked about how extreme we can be when it comes to the drug policy of zero tolerance and here?s an example that makes my point.

A 5-year-old boy was accepted into a Montessori school in Northern California but then wasn?t allowed to attend because of a "no medication on school grounds" policy. It turns out the boy has asthma and must carry an albuterol inhaler with him at all times.

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I have a letter from the boy?s attorney saying talks with the school were unsuccessful and that a court complaint would be filed on behalf of all children who need inhalers during the school day.

This is a silly school policy. Asthma is on the rise as a chronic illness in children. It is treatable using inhalers and a controlled asthma program that includes education ? and in this case I?d say that should include the education of the school administrators.

The irony here is that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last week that public schools must provide one-on-one nursing care for some disabled students, such as quadriplegics. Special education programs for some physical and mental conditions are part of the mandate of giving all youngsters equal learning opportunities. Yet this child - who just needs an inhaler - is excluded by this school.

I warned years ago that inflexible drug laws would lead to this kind of situation.

Could a kid carrying an asthma inhaler threaten our war on drugs? I?m glad to see this misguided policy being challenged.