should mainstream schools (Portland oregon) be able to order school children to be put on drugs?

Question

This school is demanding that our daughter be put onto drugs so she will "fit in and do the work" that they set for her; she isnt suited for mainstream classroom settings yet the school has placed her into a regular school room and wants her on drugs so she will "not be as disruptive" to the other students. The school system is failing her yet they want US to go about drugging her to the gills so she wont throw tantrums and will sit down and do the work. (Her previous year teacher has already admitted that even on the medication she did not do work.) She does NOT have adhd yet the pills they want her on is Ritalin. The question stands as this, DOES the school have ANY right to demand that our daughter be put on drugs of ANY kind?

Answer 1

If you have a special needs child you should talk with the Education Service District in your area about options for alternative school. Their job is to identify children with different needs and they are required by Oregon law (to the best of my knowledge) to provide educational oppertunities that your daughter can succeed at.

I do not believe the school can require that your child be given any drug, but they can decide that she can't go to school there if her behavior problems are such that neither she nor the other students can learn. I am strongly opposed to Ritalin (did you know that if she has ever taken it she can never even consider a career in the military? Even if she never wants to go into the military, taking a drug in school should not preclude her from any oppertunity in the future). But I am also not in favor of having students in a situation where they are extremely disruptive and where they are not learning. I encourage you to keep looking for alternatives and to find something that works for your daughter. Use the laws that are there to protect your child to do just that - protect her.

Answer 2

Schools DO NOT have the right to tell you your child needs medication, let alone demand it. I recommend you contact a Special Education advocate or visit www.wrightslaw.com for more information. I am sorry the school is putting you through this much of a hassle.

Your child's school, as required by law needs to do a Behavior Intervention Plan. Remind them of this. This will help determine the whys of the behavior and what can be done to help her behave appropriately.

Good luck.