Asthma and Allergy Concerns

Many schoolchildren with asthma or allergies depend on prescribed medications. In the case of a severe attack, it can be critical that these students have quick access to their inhalers, auto-injectable epinephrine or other prescriptions that can save their lives. However, some strict anti-drug policies actually prevent children from carrying such medications at school, instead requiring them to be kept at the school health clinic. In Georgia, the Kellen Edwin Bolden Act was passed to protect children from such potentially dangerous restrictions. Bolden, an asthmatic student who was not allowed to carry his inhaler at school, died after a severe attack while boarding a school bus. The Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) is pursuing legislation from Congress that would similarly protect the rights of children with asthma or allergies. The group’s recent nationwide survey reports that only 17 states have established such protective laws. Operators should be aware of local drug policies and any relevant state laws. They can mean a lot to asthmatic and allergy-affected students. For more information on the campaign to protect students’ medication rights, visit the AANMA’s website at www.breatherville.org. Source: Reuter’s Health