Okay, I've heard there's this new law in some states saying that if a teacher suspects a kid of having A.D.D., then he/she can send the student to take a psychological test. If the test shows that the kid has ADD, then the teacher can prescribe medicine and force the child to take it. This doesn't even require informing the parents. If the student or his/her family doesn't comply, the student will be suspended.

Personally, I think this is completely wrong. There are a number of things that could happen with this:
a. the child's family might not be able to buy the medicine because of a lack of money
b. the child might not be able to sucessfully transfer into another school if suspended, ending up stuck at home and growing dumber each day
c. the child might not even have ADD at all but will be forced to take the medicine, which could result in negative effects.

Also, a teacher is not a doctor; their field of expertise is teaching, not healing. Prescribing medicine and healing diseases is not their job.

What are your thoughts on this?

i think that should never happen. its up to the child and his/her parents if they want to take the medicine..
and not INFORMING the parents about the making the kid take the pills is WRONG.. even the test.. the parents should be told if the child was even 'recommended' to take a test
and you cant be suspended for not taking medicine a teacher told you to take. its stupid
a teacher IS NOT someone/a student's parent
and who pays for the medication?
id so boycott that law if it ever came here. its not right

The family pays for the medication. (I mentioned it in the first post)

oh. umm well, i still dont think its rght

i didnt think i was all that wrong till we got to the noncompliance, suspencion bit.

i think they should allow the teachers to have the kids tested, because unmedicated ADD or ADHD kids can be a big problem for other people learning in class. i remember in 3rd grade we had this one guy who would often forget or refuse to take his ritalin, and be a huge distraction for the rest of the day, and we all came to resent him because back then, we actually cared about learning in school. now my sister is extremely ADHD but my mom refuses to medicate her, and shes driving me insane. so if she causes problems, i think they should test her, but my mom should not be required to do anything about it. however, i dont think it does any harm to have the awareness, but its not right to suspend the children.

that sounds fake. don't believe it.

It's true...I just had a lesson on it in my saturday school...I'd get you an article from google, but I'm too lazy at the moment.

what?! thats crazy....
of course that shouldn't happen. the teacher does not have authority over medecine. if they didn't get a phd/masters or w/e, they shouldn't be doing anything concerning that area...esp. when its not their kid they're stuffing the medecine with.
thats so messed up...

if that were to happen everyone whould be taking that prescribed medicine.. cuz thats the only excuse for teachers' to use when she's/he's not doin' his/hers job right..... ( i duno it thats true i just made it up)

the teachers cant perscribe the medicine, only doctors can do that. they can merely recognize the signs of ADD/ADHD and suggest the students be tested

but they probably can get a court order for the child to take the medicine.

god... that sucks. you know, medicines for ADD can be more harmful than helpful..

and most people on medicines for ADD don't even have it...

thats dumb. they should at least talk with the parents about it.

thats one of the most dumbest rules i heard (in my opinion).

teachers arent doctors, their teachers. and doctors r the only ones who can prescribe medicine. all drugs have side effects, and if a teacher prescribes a drug for ADD, he has no clue what he's doing, cuz the side effects might b harmful depending on the student's health.

i think that is completely wrong. It should be up to the parents/gaurdian to decide if they want to have their child tested or have them put/taking medicine. Half of these teachers probably dont even know what they are talking about.

i think it is very stupid and totally eff up !

i agree with nikki (tweeak). i'm not about to just retype what she said.

A teacher should just send the child to the doctor if he/she has A.D.D..

Teachers are taught to teach.. not test the little children for A.D.D.. what if any of that happens? Would the teacher not get fired?

my sisters teacher can perscribe her medication today (assuming today isnt schristmas...) and id be all the happier, because she needs it, and my mom wont.

When I was in 1st grade my teacher told my parents she suspected that I had ADD. They never did anything about it though. I still feel like I might have it at times. It's all good.

i dont think its true ... give a link

I honestly think that's wrong. Teachers are teachers for a reason. They teach. They're not doctors. I mean what's more wrong is that they don't even inform the parents first. More proof that this world is messed up (or is messing up more little by little without us realizing it.)