3416 - Medication at School Policy

Policy 3416

STUDENTS

Medication at School 

1.      Oral and Topical Medications

Under normal circumstances, prescribed oral medication and oral over-the-counter medications should be dispensed before and/or after school hours under supervision of the parent(s) or guardian(s). If a student must receive prescribed or non-prescribed oral or topical medication, eye drops, ear drops, or nasal spray (“medications”) from an authorized staff member, the parent/guardian must submit a written authorization accompanied by a written request from a licensed health professional prescribing within the scope of their prescriptive authority.

Over-the-counter topical sunscreen products may be possessed and used by students and school staff without a written prescription or note from a licensed health care professional only if the following conditions are met:

1. The product is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an over-the-counter sunscreen product; and
2. If possesses by a student, the product is provided to the student only by the parent/guardian.

The superintendent shall establish procedures for:

A. Training and supervision of staff members in the administration of prescribed or non-prescribed oral medication to students by a physician or registered nurse;
B. Designating staff members who may administer prescribed or non-prescribed medication to students;
C. Obtaining a signed and dated parental and physician or dentist request for the dispending of prescribed or non-prescribed medications;
D. Storing prescribed or non-prescribed medication in a locked or limited access facility; and
E. Maintaining records pertaining to the administration of prescribed or non-prescribed oral medication.
F. Permitting, under limited circumstances, students to carry and self-administer medications necessary to their attendance at school; and
G. Permitting possession and self-administration of over-the-counter topical sunscreen products.

2.      Administration of Nasal Inhalers, Injections, and Other Medications

Nasal inhalers, suppositories and non-emergency injections may not be administered by school staff other than registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. No medication will be administered by injection by school staff except when a student is susceptible to a predetermined, life-endangering situation [See Policy 3420, Anaphylaxis Prevention]. In such an instance, the parent will submit a written and signed permission statement. Such an authorization will be supported by signed and dated written orders accompanied by supporting directions from the licensed health professional. A staff member will be trained prior to injecting a medication.

If a school nurse is on the premises, they may administer a nasal spray containing a prescribed drug or controlled substance to a student. If a school nurse is not on premises, a nasal spray containing a prescribed legend drug or controlled substance may be administered by the following:

1. A trained school employee, provided that person has received the appropriate RN delegation and has volunteered for the training pursuant to RCW 28A.210.260; or
2. A parent/guardian-designated adult.

For purposes of administration of nasal spray containing a prescribed drug or controlled substance to a student, a ‘parent/guardian-designated adult’  is a person who meets the following criteria:

1. A volunteer, who may also be a district employee;
2. Receives additional training from a licensed healthcare professional or expert in epileptic seizure;
3. Selected by the parent/guardian; and
4. Provides care for the student consistent with the student’s individual health plan on file with the school.

After every administration of any prescribed legend drug or controlled substance by nasal spray to a student, emergency medical services (911) will be summoned as soon as practicable.

If the district decides to discontinue administering a student’s medication, the superintendent or designee must provide notice to the student’s parent or guardian orally and in writing prior to the discontinuance. There must be a valid reason for the discontinuance that does not compromise the health of the student or violate legal protections for the disabled.

3.      Parental Administration of Marijuana-Infused Products for Medical Purposes

Upon district verification, A parent or guardian may administer a marijuana-infused product to a student who is a patient qualified under state law to receive medical marijuana. The parent or guardian may administer the medical marijuana product on school grounds, aboard a school bus, or while attending a school-sponsored event. The parent/guardian must present to the school official a valid Washington recognition card for medical marijuana per RCW 69.51A.220.

The district will not store or administer marijuana-infused products for any purpose. Although the school nurse may oversee the process of compliance with this policy, the school nurse will not provide, administer, or assist the student with the consumption of the marijuana-infused product. The parents or guardian of the student are the only persons who may provide, administer, or assist student with the consumption of the marijuana-infused product. Students will not self-carry or self-administer marijuana or marijuana-infused products for medical purposes or for any other purpose. Administration of a marijuana-infused product by smoking is strictly prohibited. Violation of this policy by students may result in appropriate school discipline or referral to law enforcement.

After administering the permissible form of medical marijuana to the qualified student, the parents or guardian will remove any remaining marijuana from school or district grounds, school bus, or school-sponsored event. The district may limit or revoke permission for the parents or guardian of a qualifying student to administer marijuana for medical purposes if the parents or guardian or qualified student violates this policy or demonstrates an inability to follow this policy’s parameters responsibly.

Nothing in this policy requires an accommodation for employees for medical marijuana in the place of employment or diminishes the district’s ability to enforce its drug-free schools policy.  Student possession, use, distribution, sale or being under the influence of marijuana inconsistent with this policy may be considered a violation of the district’s drug-free schools and subject to district action.

The superintendent will establish procedures consistent with this policy and state law.

 

 

Cross References:       Board Policy 3420                  Anaphylaxis Prevention
                                       Board Policy 5258                  Drug-Free Schools, Community, and
                                                                                                 Workplace

Legal References:       RCW   28A.210.260               Administration of Oral Medication by –
                                                                                                Conditions
                                      RCW   28A.210.270               Administration of Oral Medication by –
                                                                                                Immunity from Liability                                
                                      Ch. 69.51A RCW                   Medical Cannabis

 

Adoption Date:           October 8, 2019