Coping with asthma leaves schools gasping
Castle Rock mom Heather Clark was so concerned that her 13-year-old daughter, Sami, would have an asthma attack at school and that no one would know what to do, she took to sneaking an inhaler into her daughter’s backpack, just in case. She calls it her “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.
She didn’t realize that there was no need to treat the inhaler as if it were contraband. In fact, since 2005, Colorado law has given students with asthma the right to carry their inhalers with them and to self-administer their asthma medication, as long as they have a care plan on file with the school.
Last year, the legislature amended that law to remove the requirement for the care plan. But students and their parents are required to sign a contract with the school stating that the student knows how to properly administer the medication.
Douglas County schools, where Sami is a student, have adopted a policy in line with state law.
She didn’t realize that there was no need to treat the inhaler as if it were contraband. In fact, since 2005, Colorado law has given students with asthma the right to carry their inhalers with them and to self-administer their asthma medication, as long as they have a care plan on file with the school.Last year, the legislature amended that law to remove the requirement for the care plan. But students and their parents are required to sign a contract with the school stating that the student knows how to properly administer the medication.
Douglas County schools, where Sami is a student, have adopted a policy in line with state law.