CHILD PUNISHED FOR TAKING VITAMIN

MOBILE -- A third-grader who took a vitamin with his lunch at school was
suspended for five days for violating the Mobile County system's
zero-tolerance policy for substance abuse. Ricky Wright, the student's
father, said the pill was a green multivitamin. Wright said he and his wife
- -- a registered nurse -- did not think his son, Ryan, was wrong in taking
the pill to O'Rourke Elementary School.

Wright said school officials overreacted and a five-day suspension was too
harsh a penalty.

But school officials cited written policy, made available to parents, that
specifically prohibits students from bringing to school vitamins and even
look-alike candies.