Can teacher councel students about addictions and withdrawals legally?

[rrsheehan]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Iowa

Teacher was continuing her counseling even after being asked to stop by the principal. My son was going through a depression and I didn't even know why until he came clean and said that he was using chewing tobacco and that this teacher had told him the only way to quit was cold turkey. She may have seen him at school but we couldn't figure out what was wrong with him until he told us what he was doing. She is a physical education teacher with no counceling background. Could this teacher be in trouble?

 

[sandyclaus]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Iowa

Teacher was continuing her counseling even after being asked to stop by the principal. My son was going through a depression and I didn't even know why until he came clean and said that he was using chewing tobacco and that this teacher had told him the only way to quit was cold turkey. She may have seen him at school but we couldn't figure out what was wrong with him until he told us what he was doing. She is a physical education teacher with no counceling background. Could this teacher be in trouble?

Why are you so concerned about a teacher would actually take an interest here and counsel your son on how to deal with his addiction to chewing tobacco?

Why aren't you MORE concerned instead about the fact that your child was using and became addicted to chewing tobacco in the first place and getting him the counseling and treatment he needs?

Teachers often step in and counsel kids on things like this, ESPECIALLY when the parents fail to do so. It's not always a bad thing. Instead of creating a new problem, BE PART OF THE SOLUTION. Take responsibility for your child and their addiction and get them the help he needs.

 

[CdwJava]

You can always inform the school that rather than trying to help your child, they should contact the police when your child possesses tobacco and brings tobacco onto school grounds.

If you truly wish to get the teacher in trouble, report the incident to the principal and let them handle it.

In the meantime, perhaps you can step in and address your child's problem.

 

[sandyclaus]

...Teacher was continuing her counseling even after being asked to stop by the principal...

You can always inform the school that rather than trying to help your child, they should contact the police when your child possesses tobacco and brings tobacco onto school grounds.

If you truly wish to get the teacher in trouble, report the incident to the principal and let them handle it.

In the meantime, perhaps you can step in and address your child's problem.

From what OP says, they have already discussed the situation with the school and the principal allegedly asked the teacher to stop involving themselves, which is why I said what I did.

OP seems to be more concerned with stopping the teacher from helping than taking action to help their child deal with both their depression and their addiction.

Perhaps OP would be better motivated if the police did get involved with their child's illegal possession and use of tobacco products.

 

[startedone]

What AGE is the child?

 

[Banned_Princess]

Somebody has to teach these kids about sex and drugs, obviously parents lack the willingness to get raw with their kids.

 

[Humusluvr]

Short answer - no, I don't believe the teacher will get in trouble.

Long answer -

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Iowa

Teacher was continuing her counseling even after being asked to stop by the principal.

There was a conference with you and your son and the teacher and the principal where the principal gave the directive to the teacher to "Not ever speak to the student concerning chewing tobacco again?" I find this hard to believe.

My son was going through a depression and I didn't even know why until he came clean and said that he was using chewing tobacco and that this teacher had told him the only way to quit was cold turkey.

You're saying your son was detoxing?

She may have seen him at school but we couldn't figure out what was wrong with him until he told us what he was doing.

Please explain. This doesn't make sense.

She is a physical education teacher with no counceling background.

She has a health background. She was telling him how to be healthy. That is her area of expertise.

Could this teacher be in trouble?

Always a possibility, but unlikely - since you are allowing your child to use. She doesn't seem like the one in the wrong here.....