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Medication administration in schools is discouraged unless medically necessary to allow a student to effectively participate in or benefit from the School District's programs and services. If medication can be administered at home without limiting access to educational opportunities, the medication should not be administered at school.
For students who require medication in order to fully participate in their educational program, the School District will provide for the administration of such medication and any mandated training for personnel in accordance with applicable state and federal law and regulations promulgated by the Superintendent.
School personnel may only administer FDA-approved drug products (over-the-counter or prescription) and FDA-approved dietary supplements to students. Products and substances that have not been FDA-approved for therapeutic use will not be administered in schools.
Self-Administration of Medications and Self-Monitoring of Medical Conditions
Students shall be allowed to possess and self-administer certain medications while in school or at a school-sponsored activity or event under the conditions set forth in applicable regulations. Self-administration means a student’s discretionary use of prescribed medication. Students with diabetes shall further be permitted to perform blood glucose checks and otherwise attend to the monitoring and treatment of the student's diabetes and shall be permitted to possess at all times all necessary supplies and equipment to perform such monitoring (and all related treatment) functions.
Medications that may be self-administered at school include asthma medications, auto-injectable epinephrine, diabetes treatment medications, and, as authorized by school administrators, other potentially life-saving medications that may be administered in an emergency.
Prohibition on Mandatory Medication
No student shall be required to obtain a prescription for medication as a condition of attending school or receiving an evaluation for special education and related services. Nothing in this provision shall prohibit teachers or other school personnel from consulting or sharing classroom-based observations with parents or guardians regarding a student’s academic and functional performance or behavior in the classroom or school, regarding the need for evaluation for special education or related services.
Confidentiality
All information regarding medication and health status will be kept confidential in accordance with federal and state law and applicable Board policies.
Naloxone Administration in Schools
The Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent to make naloxone available in all schools, pursuant to the applicable Georgia Department of Public Health Standing Order for Prescription of Naloxone for Overdose Prevention.
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