<p>And just to add, I was one of those early alcohol-drinking teens, followed closely by marijuana (doing both by the time I was 17). I don’t think any horror story of anyone I knew would have been enough to scare me. There were quite the number of ‘good Catholic students’ at my all-girl parochial high school who spent many days going out to lunch and getting drunk and/or stoned, me included. I have NO idea what the consequences would have been, but I would have been far more afraid of my parents than my school (of course, back then, these schools tended to deny and ignore this was going on their school, so why would they have a disciplinary action in writing?)</p>
<p>I don’t think the intent was to scare them - they could have done that by booking them at the local station house, or putting them on pre-trial parole. Instead they let 'em off somewhat easily, without creating the appearance of favoritism.</p>
<p>No, they didn’t give 'em a medal.</p>
<p>What would the penalty have been for a 16 or 17 year-old, had they decided to prosecute? Juvie for six months?</p>
<p>In my area, it would get them probation, daily testing, and huge fines.</p>
<p>Daily testing for marijuana would be a waste of resources, given the half-life it has.</p>
<p>The kids have to pay for the tests themselves. Actually, they probably only have to be tested occasionally … MIPs for drinking often come with daily testing, though.</p>
<p>If one was 18, and gave the stuff to one under 18, it would be felony - likely pled down, but at least 30 days jail time.</p>
<p>The rest would likely get probation, but with non-expungable records, as pre-trial parole has pretty much disappeared with budget cuts (they have to do a thorough risk assessment for re-offense, yadayadayada, and the county can’t afford it anymore.)</p>
<p>In our county, a MIP (someone under 21) in possession of alcohol, whether the minor has a .08 blood alcohol of .00 - simply having an alcoholic beverage in POSSESSION will give the minor several mandatory court appearances, suspension of driver’s license for months, drug tests and substance abuse counseling, paid for by the minor/minor’s family. It is harsh. </p>
<p>Is it effective? I don’t know. I know quite a number of kids that still use alcohol who have gone through these programs…the only difference is that it is underground. </p>
<p>I do think that substance abuse can begin early, but after seeing the ramifications of zero tolerance programs, I think that this can lead to further use and experimentation. We make it so difficult for young people to understand how to use alcohol in moderation in our culture. Perhaps if it was an easier way to teach them how to understand their tolerance for alcohol - serving them a glass of wine or beer with dinner on ocassion, it wouldn’t be such a taboo thing. Other cultures do a better job of teaching their young people how to drink responsibly.</p>
<p>Just as we teach our teens to drive, we should show them the risks of alcohol. Let them learn how to be responsible drinkers. </p>
<p>Drugs are a different thing - yet, because of the taboo nature, I believe that parents are clueless about how common they are in our college campuses. </p>
<p>I also think that legalizing marijuana will be a lot smarter in the long run. Tax it, make it accessible and decriminalize the use. </p>
<p>We all hope our kids won’t make a big mistake that might ruin their lives. I think this happens way too much when kids “experiment”. This doesn’t mean they are going to be a lifelong drug user because of this experimenting…but kicking them out of school and incarcerating them WILL cause them far more harm, IMO.</p>
<p>No disagreement from me (and I’m also for legalization for adults). I’m glad that the Ravenswood people neither incarcerated the potheads, nor kicked them out out of school.</p>
<p>There are so many people on here who are just ****in nuts. </p>
<p>So many use the analogy of speeding in a car… when you go 5 miles an hour over the speed limit, you hardly get a slap on the wrist. When you go 50 over the speed limit, you lose your license!</p>
<p>If your caught smoking pot (which some of the greatest Americans of all time have done), you don"t get punished like you burned the school down!</p>
<p>This punishment is ridiculously harsh. This event is really not the life altering event these people are making it out to be. Teaching teenagers consequences by offering them an inferior education is shameful, and I’m sorry America has come to this.</p>
<p>Couldn’t agree more, all I can say is, I’m glad I live in Massachusetts where it’s decriminalized and most public schools are pretty lenient about the consequences. That being said, no one at my school would be stupid enough to pull that ***** on a school sponsored trip or on school grounds.</p>
<p>ehazoo-
Why are you pulling up this year-old thread? Just wondering…</p>