Punishment too severe?

We’re all familiar with the adage “let the punishment fit the crime.” But can the punishment be too extreme at times?
A 14-year-old Haughton Middle School student was expelled from school last week after she gave another student a Midol, an over-the-counter pain reliever. Now she has been ordered to finish the school year at Charlotte Mitchell Center alternative school.
Initially, the school system had ordered Lindsey Tanner to attend the alternative school for nine weeks next school year. However, on Monday, Betty McCauley, director of student services for Bossier schools, lessened that punishment and Lindsey won’t have to attend the alternative school next year.
That would have been a terrible way to begin a new school year.
However, Lindsey still has to enroll in a six-week alcohol and drug awareness program.
That seems extreme.
Should a student who merely takes a Midol and later gives one to someone else be placed in the same category as someone who deals with cocaine or methamphetamines?
I'm by no means condoning kids taking medicines to school and giving them to other students. You never know if that person is allergic or has taken other medications.
I'm just saying the punishment seems a bit severe.
What do you think?