Pubdate: Fri, 31 Jan 2003
Source: Montgomery Advertiser (AL)
Copyright: 2003sThe Advertiser Co.
Contact:  http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1088

CHILD PUNISHED FOR TAKING VITAMIN

MOBILE -- A third-grader who took a vitamin with his lunch at school was 
suspended for five days for violating the Mobile County system's 
zero-tolerance policy for substance abuse. Ricky Wright, the student's 
father, said the pill was a green multivitamin. Wright said he and his wife 
- -- a registered nurse -- did not think his son, Ryan, was wrong in taking 
the pill to O'Rourke Elementary School.

Wright said school officials overreacted and a five-day suspension was too 
harsh a penalty.

But school officials cited written policy, made available to parents, that 
specifically prohibits students from bringing to school vitamins and even 
look-alike candies.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom