Bill cracks down on students bringing medicine to school

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A bill aimed at cracking down on children who bring prescription drugs to school won final legislative approval Wednesday, sending the bill to governor's desk.

The bill would prohibit anyone under age 21 from distributing prescription drugs while on school property to anyone who does not have a valid prescription. Violators would be charged with a misdemeanor.

Rep. Steven Tilley, who handled the bill in the House, said schools are struggling to deal with children passing out prescription drugs to their classmates.

The bill would also make it illegal for anyone under 21 to possess prescription medication on school property without a valid prescription. However, it exempts school personnel responsible for storing, maintaining or dispensing medication and emergency personnel.

Opponents of the bill argued children caught bringing medicine to school should not face criminal charges.

"We should not be trying to put children into the juvenile system and charge them with things that may be negligence among the adults. That juvenile record follows that child for life," said Rep. Yaphett El-Amin, D-St. Louis.

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Drug bill is SB254

On the Net:

Legislature: http://www.moga.state.mo.us