Big school privacy case to go before Supreme Court

[LaneSig]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Sen, the "danger" here was that of ibuprofen pills, in other words, there is no rational relationship of the danger posed by the presence of prescription ibuprofen pills to the intrusiveness of the search.

Here, the health and safety of other students was not threatened at all, thus a search, particularly one this intrusive wasn't justified. The lawyers for the school district wrap themselves up in a big 'ol 'illicit drug prevention' banner. Well, this was ibuprofen, not ecstasy.

We hire these administrators because we think they have the ability to exercise good judgment. Zero tolerance policies are essentially admissions that these people have poor judgment. I think we're all better off if we live in a society which expects the best from administrators rather than the worst.

Let me start off by saying that I do not believe the student should have been stripped searched. After an accusation by another student, with no other evidence to back it up, the parent should have been called in for an administrator-parent-student discussion to get to the bottom of the story.

Let me just clarify on why schools have to take stands on prescription and non-prescription medicine, such as ibuprofen. Administrators and teachers have no idea if a certain student is allergic to something in the medicine, even over the counter. Many times, even the students themselves aren't sure if they are allergic to something they've never taken.

Picture the situation in a classroom, cafeteria, school hallway.

Tommy: "I've got a headache."

Suzy: "I've got some Tylenol (Anacin, etc.). It helps me. Want one?"

Tommy: "Sure."

Tommy has never taken this type of product before. His parents have never given it to him. Tommy takes the product, has an allergic reaction, and dies. And yes, these situations have occured. Do you know what happens next? The school gets sued by Tommy's parents because the teacher/administration didn't keep another student from giving their child a substance. And yes, these situations have occured. (My mother is allergic to Tylenol. Nobody knew until she took one one evening and ended up in the emergency room).

So, to recap: I do not agree with the strip search. I am trying to get you to understand that ibuprofen and/or other prescription/non-prescription medicine can be a "danger" if the wrong person or dosage takes it. So, schools do have to be wary.