Pubdate: Mon, 13 Sep 2004
Source: Daily News Transcript (MA)
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Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

FIRST  LESSON

First day of school in Westwood and the high school kids were gathered
for  a talk in the auditorium.

Four  individuals were quietly pulled out. All four  had marijuana on
their person.

This was  not a fling on the last day of class. This was  four high
school children carrying marijuana into class on the very first day of
  school.

This makes  a statement. It says  these four kids are starting out
their school year with an attitude. School is  of secondary importance.

They want  marijuana before anything else. They even sashayed into
school with some of the  stuff, and are ready to use it before they
even open a book. This is  dangerous.

Westwood is  a marvelous school system. It offers students the top of
the line in school  programs, extracurricular activities and an
excellent chance to move to a top  college.

Marijuana  compromises all that. It is  illegal and it is
addictive.

Two deadly  sins. Maybe  college kids or adults can argue that
marijuana has useful medical purpose. Some  can argue that the
material has genuine leisure value. But these  are four high school
kids.

Fact is  marijuana influences attention. For a high  school student,
it is therefore deadly.

Westwood is  saying little about the specifics. School  officials say
some of the students are girls and some boys, none are freshmen.  That
is all authorities would say. Charges might be filed, but police would
not  comment.

Principal  Jean Wentworth said the four were not caught smoking
marijuana. While she would  not say what their whole punishment might
be, the students are receiving a  10-day suspension as part of the
penalty. Ten days  may seem harsh.

It is. It is  supposed to tell the four students and the other
hundreds of students that  bringing marijuana to school is against the
law and, much worse, can ruin their  education.

Hopefully,  this penalty will give all Westwood students their first
big lesson of the year.
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MAP posted-by: Derek