Substance abuse...Who calls the parent?

[RNqueens]

This afternoon I received a call giving me a heads up that a teacher called the Sr. High principal for a student suspected of being high. The student is then brought down to my office clearly high as a kite (red eyes, marijuana odor, eating a granola bar like it was his last meal). I did my LOC assessment BP slightly elevated but, nothing I would call the parent for (132/72 p104), and PERRLA. I tell the asst. principal my findings and he then turns and say call the parents to come pick him up and they will talk to them when they arrive with the school.

My issue with this situation was since I have no bloodwork/urine drug test this is an accusation. The student did confess that he was in a car at lunch with his friend who was smoking. Once I open the conversation with "your child was brought to my office because he was suspected to be under the influence" it leads to more questions and concerns, rightfully so. I was really uncomfortable with making that call and felt like it should have been the administrator's call once I did my assessment. The situation ended up spiraling downhill the parents were confused and upset and the student refused to give names. My office was filled with administrators and security because he left my office without saying anything. In the midst of all of this I get called to a classroom for a student needing a wheelchair (what way to start thanksgiving).

What are your schools protocols regarding substance abuse and notifying the parent?

Thanks in advance.

[Farawyn]

The same thing happened to me a few weeks ago. I called the mom and basically said you need to get down here now. She, of course asked why, so I told her that her son may be under the influence.

Once she got there? I let the AP deal with her.

I charted what I could see, what was measureable: Vitals, eyes, slurred speech or confusion, odor of pot, etc. But once you know the kid is safe, health wise, let the PTB deal with the discipline end.

...I think...

[Wave Watcher]

I would believe that once you let your administration know what you found then they can conclude from it what they will and call parents themselves. I don't believe unless it is an emergency that a nurse needs to call parents and discuss possible drug use. This type of situation could result in the student being suspended or charges brought against them. I think a nurse should do what a nurse is qualified to do and then it's up to the administration to collect other evidence that may be needed. Like it was already stated that we do not have access to labs to test blood, urine or hair.

[Farawyn]

There was a known 15 year old drug user brought to me the other day for the same thing. Everything observable was WNL. I documented. The AP later came back to me and said, he was high. Yea, he probably was, but what can I do about it if everything measureable measures correctly?

The kids are taking Xanax in my neck of the woods. The pot and alcohol is easy, you can smell it. The pills? Unless they are ODing, really not so much.

[Red Kryptonite]

I don't believe unless it is an emergency that a nurse needs to call parents and discuss possible drug use. This type of situation could result in the student being suspended or charges brought against them.

Speaking only as a parent, if you think my kid is on drugs and DON'T call me, you won't be a happy camper when I find out. I have a right to know and an obligation to put a stop to it, but I can't do that if you impede me. If my kid got suspended or charged, well boo hoo, that's what they chose, but better as a teenager when we might have a chance of preventing total ruination of their life rather than in their twenties when the drug use is entrenched and criminal charges will follow them forever!

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I do an assessment if called (I cover 11 campuses in two towns) but it is up to the administration of the school to call the parents. THEY have the power to suspend the student. The nurse does not.

[ohiobobcat]

I just had this happen the other day. The student was very obviously on something, no obvious smell. She was brought to me by an administrator and our school resource officer. The parent was contacted by the administrator after I told him that it was not safe for this student to remain in school as she was falling asleep and falling out of the chair in which she was sitting (Vitals were OK). If a kid presented to me without administrator involvement and I suspected substance abuse, I would call the parent AND the administrator.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

I just had this happen the other day. The student was very obviously on something, no obvious smell. She was brought to me by an administrator and our school resource officer. The parent was contacted by the administrator after I told him that it was not safe for this student to remain in school as she was falling asleep and falling out of the chair in which she was sitting (Vitals were OK). If a kid presented to me without administrator involvement and I suspected substance abuse, I would call the parent AND the administrator.

If I had a student present to me like I would as well. That student is clearly not safe to remain in school as she is likely to injure herself in that state.

Last week just before Thanksgiving break (what is it about all this stuff right before break?), I was called in to check out a student suspected of being "on something." Student showed no signs, physically ok, but had told a teacher he'd taken pills in the past.

I confirmed student's health status to counselor/admin, reported student did state pills were never obtained on school property or via another student at the school. Counselor has already reached out again to parent re: another issue and was waiting a call back. I leave discipline to admin.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Obviously if the student is impaired enough to be in trouble physically, I can call the parents to outline what is going on but the ultimate responsibility for the repercussions fall on admin.

[Wave Watcher]

Speaking only as a parent, if you think my kid is on drugs and DON'T call me, you won't be a happy camper when I find out. I have a right to know and an obligation to put a stop to it, but I can't do that if you impede me. If my kid got suspended or charged, well boo hoo, that's what they chose, but better as a teenager when we might have a chance of preventing total ruination of their life rather than in their twenties when the drug use is entrenched and criminal charges will follow them forever!

There is nothing that happens at my job that can make me "not be a happy camper".... not a parent, a student or my administration. I do my job well and follow guidelines. I'm not calling parents if I suspect their kid is on drugs. Administration can take care of that. Once the administration called you then you could "take care of it". Now, if it is an emergency then of course I would be calling you....I would call you first thing and let you know what I have assessed and then you can decide if it is drug related. You know as school nurses we don't have the equipment to test for drugs and I'm not going to "assume" anything about a child.

[Wave Watcher]

Obviously if the student is impaired enough to be in trouble physically I can call the parents to outline what is going on but the ultimate responsibility for the repercussions fall on admin.[/quote']

This was my point also. Thank you. :-)

[SchoolNurseTXstyle]

If they student is unstable / in need of further evaluation, I will gladly make that call. the priority is medical at that point. If the student is fine and does not need further medical evaluation, the administrator needs to make that call. I am not an adminstrator and I AM TOO BUSY to get pulled into that drama! The principal can close his office door and have those private and touchy conversations. I, on the other hand, must keep the clinic running. There is no closing the door for me.

I feel the same exact way when the situation is a student fight. I am happy to assess. However, if those kids have no injuries - the call should come from an adminstrator first. Then, I am more than happy to discuss ONLY my objective nursing assessment with the parent.