Reference no: EM133467268

The School Nurse Encounters Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Problems

Reports had filtered into the police department that another methamphetamine (meth) lab was suspected, but this time it was in an old storage shed located within a few blocks of the high school. Unfortunately there had been a rash of methamphetamine labs in the county that spring, mostly in the rural areas. The Sheriff's Department had investigated most of the suspected labs in the past couple of years, but when a potential lab was found within the city limits, Officer Jeff Williamsburg from the police department asked Deputy Sheriff Aaron Leedermann to meet him near the storage shed to conduct the investigation.

Both officers knew that methamphetamineLinks to an external site. is an extremely addictive, central nervous system stimulant that can be easily made with ingredients found in many homes and garages. The Sheriff's Department had conducted several raids on meth labs in the county, and every officer was well educated on the equipment and supplies that could be used to make it. Just a few pieces of garbage like a gasoline can, some Drano, a package of cold medicine, and paint thinner found in a ditch might mean a meth lab was nearby.

When the two officers investigated the report, they found evidence of a meth lab but no active manufacturing at the site. Because it was so close to the high school, Officer Williamsburg and Deputy Leedermann felt that they needed to get the school involved. Both of them had worked closely with the school before, but this time they decided to talk to the Riverside County Public Health Nursing Service to solicit help in approaching the school about this public health problem.

Officer Williamsburg contacted Brett Manly at the Riverside County Public Health Nursing Service for assistance in determining what to do. They had worked together on other community projects related to drug and alcohol education. Before becoming a public health nurse, Brett had worked as a nurse in a drug rehabilitation center. He was well versed in various drugs that were frequently abused and was experienced in drug prevention education. In addition the officers decided to meet with Jeanne Langholz, the school nurse. Jeanne was very interested in helping the teachers and students learn more about the dangers of methamphetamine. She was well aware of the increase in the number of labs found in the county and had already talked to the principal about an

in-service education program for the teachers and staff. It would be natural to plan an educational activity that involved the students as well.

Task: As a nursing student, you have been working with the school nurse this semester and have been invited to participate in planning the program.

1. What do you know about the abuse of drugs in general and methamphetamine in particular?

2. What have you learned about the role of the school nurse?

3. Based on your knowledge what role should you expect Jeanne Langholz to play?