Students Allegedly Shared Needle to Draw Blood Samples in Junior High Science Class

The Associated Press ^

[TheOtherOne]

Students Allegedly Shared Needle to Draw Blood Samples in Junior High Science Class
The Associated Press
Published: Jul 10, 2002

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (AP) - Two dozen junior high school students apparently shared a needle provided by their diabetic teacher to draw blood samples during a science class last year, school officials said.

In a May 2001 class at Keith Junior High School, teacher Kevin D. Cadieux loaded a new needle into his lancet and asked for volunteers to have their blood drawn for a microscope slide, school committee attorney Walter R. Smith told the Standard-Times.

About 24 seventh graders used it, wiping the needle with alcohol between uses, Smith said.

Authorities did not learn of the episode for a year, until one of the students who had been present watched an anti-drug video that contained warnings about sharing needles. Last month, he told a teacher what had happened and the teacher informed higher-ups.

The New Bedford school committee said it would pay for HIV and hepatitis testing for 97 students, and the board recommended the tests in letters sent to parents Tuesday. Medical officials say the chances of disease transmission were minuscule.

Cadieux, who retired last summer, will not face disciplinary action, Smith said. Cadieux's home number is unlisted. His lawyer, Walter P. Faria, said he believed no crime was committed but had advised his client to not comment.

AP-ES-07-10-02 1248EDT

[Semper Paratus]

Hate to think would they would do with a condom in sex ed.

[GingisK]

And yet they wonder why home-schooling is so attractive.

[Minnesoootan]

I believe a diabetic using his/her needle for any purpose other than intended IS a crime.....atleast that is what a guy running a bait shop in my hometown found out quite a few years ago...those needles make awesome worm blowers,the authorities didn't take kindly to him selling them for a buck a piece.

[goodieD]

your public school dollars at work. Yet another homeschooling bump.

[chiefqc]

Just remember, these are the leaders of tomorrow.

Boy we are really screwed.

[Stone Mountain]

those needles make awesome worm blowers

Gotta ask - what's a worm blower? No Monica jokes please... : )

[Mr_Magoo]

A worm blower is used to inflate a worm with air, causing it to float above the bottom where fish can see it.

[BreitbartSentMe]

One point I got in reading this, I think they're not really talking about a needle, but a lancet, which is used to prick your finger to get a blood sample to test the sugar level. It's not like a hollow needle that the blood can get inside and contaminate the next user. Therefore, wiping the blood off the lancet itself would PROBABLY have taken care of any contaminents.

That being said, it was an incredibly STUPID thing for that guy to do, those lancets don't cost very much, and he could have used one per person easily and still done the experiment with the kids, but safely, and illustrating to them the importance of such precautions.

[Bandolier]

Exactly. You can buy boxes of those Lancets at the drugstore, cheap. No need for them to have risked the "share," but it probably doesn't represent a significant risk.

[Minnesoootan]

They work good with leeches also...shhhhhhh,but don't tell anyone ;-)

[CholeraJoe]

And yet they wonder why home-schooling is so attractive.

Brittney Spears was home-schooled and she turned out brilliant.

[Stone Mountain]

A worm blower is used to inflate a worm with air, causing it to float above the bottom where fish can see it.

Thanks! Boy, you really learn stuff here!