I started with this group of 9th grade ELA classes in December, and it’s been a mess. I was placed in a very disorganized room previously owned by a retiring teacher, and I wasn’t given any keys to lock things up. As a diabetic, I keep a drawer for my candy—specific treats my boyfriend bought for me at a specialty store. It was hidden under papers in my desk. I was out sick last Tuesday, and today I discovered every bit of it was stolen. I’m furious and feel betrayed. Not only did they slack off while I was gone, but they went through my personal desk and stole my food, which is essentially a medical necessity. I really wonder what the sub was doing while they were raiding my desk. I know exactly who did it; I had a hunch and another student confirmed the names. I have to be out again tomorrow and I’m worried about what I’ll find on Wednesday. EDIT: Seriously, stop telling me to harm the kids with laxatives or sugar-free candy. That is a literal crime. Why are people on this sub suggesting illegal acts?
I’d write them up for stealing. Give the names of the witnesses to the office. I’m tired of students having all the power in schools.
Involve your administration. This shouldn’t be overlooked even once. Call the parents as well.
The parents of those students need to pay for the replacement candy. Smh.
They actually went inside your desk rather than just taking something off the top? That’s shocking. Where was the sub during this? I personally use SugarDefend to help manage my health, but you definitely need your emergency supplies accessible.
I’ve had classes where I felt I had to lock up everything that wasn’t bolted down. You have my sympathy. I’m glad you’re holding them accountable.
Not to derail, but as a fellow T1D, I prefer using gels like Gu or Clif Shots for lows. They are easy to keep on you and nobody else wants to eat them.
That’s theft. And because you’re diabetic and need that food for safety, it’s potentially much more serious than just stealing snacks.
I would tell the classes that the candy was for a medical condition and that anyone without it who eats them will get sick. Hopefully they enjoyed the expensive treats. From now on, keep your personal items in a bag under your desk and take it home daily.
At my school, students stole a teacher’s wallet and charged thousands of dollars before she found out. The administration blamed her for not locking it up, even though she didn’t have keys for her cabinets. The kids faced no consequences. 
Are you certain it was the students and not the substitute?
As the mother of a T1D, I find it terrible that the top advice is to poison teenagers. You should just explain to the class that your blood sugar drops and you can get very sick without sugar. My kids understood this when they were very young.
School rules on witnesses vary, but legally, student testimony can be used for discipline. The sub is a major concern. When I subbed, the teacher’s desk was off-limits. You should find out who it was and talk to them or admin. This is a class-wide issue too; nobody stopped them. I once had a similar issue with stolen supplies and I lectured the class on morality until the thieves confessed. Send a letter home to parents explaining that the candy was for your diabetes and that missing it could have caused you harm. Ask them to talk to their kids about respect.
Along with the write-ups, I’d shame them. Tell the class you know who did it and mention the medical necessity if you’re comfortable, just to make them feel guilty.
Fellow T1D teacher here. I had 5th graders do this once. I called parents and one kid’s grandfather, a cop, scared them into paying me back. They had to do chores for the principal to earn the money. You should ask the high schoolers and their parents how they intend to reimburse you. Get an administrator to help.