The Use of Prescribed Medication in the Schools: A Status Report on the State Policies and Guidelines

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Abstract
The increased use of medication in school systems and the broadened responsibility of educators for the medical/health related needs of students have created a number of concerns. Examples of issues facing school personnel include liability risks, designation of persons to administer medication and drug management procedures to safeguard students receiving drugs during the school day. A review of the literature indicates a paucity of legal documents and policies regarding the use of medication in schools. This study investigates existing state laws, regulations, attorneys general opinions and guidelines concerning the management of medication in the school system. The results show that: (a) the majority of states do not have legislation, regulations or other directives with force of law; (b) major policy statements found most often in legal documents were designated persons permitted to administer drugs, physician's approval, parent's authorization and liability; and (c) many states have apparently deferred policy making to the schools, and have developed state department guidelines to assist local school officials. The major policy and guideline statements may be considered as recommendations for adoption by states wanting to establish responsibility for policy making at the state and local school level.