March 12, 1999
KALAMAZOO--The increased student use of prescription drugs and the impact this trend is having on public schools will be the subject of a forum sponsored by Western Michigan University's College of Education Alumni Society from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 18, in 2000 Schneider Hall.
The general public, WMU education graduates, and area students, parents and school personnel are invited to attend this free program on "Prescription Drugs in the Classroom: Reaction or Remedy."
It will feature a panel of experts discussing the growing number of K-12 students who are taking prescription medications for conditions such as depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
"We're no longer talking about schools handing out aspirin and Band-Aids and doctors and parents handing out prescription medications," says series organizer Dr. Carole M. Bullmer, a guidance counselor at Marcellus High School in Marcellus, Mich.
"Today's schools store and dispense a host of medications for a wide variety of students. Whether you're a secretary, teacher or superintendent, you face numerous security, medical and liability issues."
The program, part of the alumni society's Issues in Education series, will feature four panel members: Dr. Ruth Ervin, assistant professor of special education at WMU; Dr. Scott Kollins, assistant professor of Psychology at WMU; Dr. David Potts, an area psychologist and former teacher at Portage Northern High School in Portage, Mich.; and Ann Sovey, an elementary school counselor for the Delton Kellogg Schools in Delton, Mich.
After panel members make their opening remarks, audience members will participate in a question-and-answer session and general discussion. This will be the last series program for 1998-1999. Additional programs will be offered when the 1999-2000 series kicks off this coming fall.
To reserve a place at the March program, persons may call Bullmer at (616) 646-5081 or contact Karin F. Carl in WMU's College of Education at (616) 387-2965 or <karin.carl@wmich.edu>.
Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 616 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu
Media Advisory: Carole Bullmer and the panel members will be available for comment immediately following the program. Bullmer also will be available for comment 15 minutes before the program starts.
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