Pubdate: Fri, 13 Jan 2006
Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (NY)
Copyright: 2006 Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.democratandchronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/614
Author:    Ernst Lamothe Jr.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

DISTRICT DEFENDS TEEN NOVEL

Gates Chili Says Book Teaches Valuable Lesson About Drugs

While the book is controversial, Patricia Schucker and Gates Chili 
school district officials believe Go Ask Alice was an important novel 
for freshmen to read as part of an English Regents class last semester.

However, a parent, whom the district didn't want to name, expressed 
concerns to the school this week about the book's themes of heroin 
use and discussion about rape.

"In spite of the drug campaigns of 'Just Say No,' statistics still 
show that teens are turning a deaf ear to adults," said Schucker, 
Gates Chili's associate superintendent.

"Reading the words from one of their peers in a book may have a 
greater impact than all the wise words we say as adults."

Go Ask Alice is a 15-year-old high school girl's personal diary 
chronicling her drug use and her need to finally get help.

The character also writes about loathing her weight gain, being 
uncomfortable at school, relating to her parents and her peaking 
sexual interest.

Schucker said the book has been used for years with no parent 
complaints and was a supplemental novel for a larger topic on drug 
abuse for Kathryn McCullough's class.

"We know parents have a right to raise an objection ... but this book 
teaches students a valuable lesson on the issue of drugs. She was 
very negatively impacted by drugs and her life ended too short," 
Schucker said of the book's main character.

In addition, parents received the school reading list in the fall and 
had access to McCullough's Web site, where she described the project 
that started Dec. 5.

Students were assigned to select a drug and research its long-term 
effects on the brain and family environment.

Gates Chili parents have the option of filing a request to speak to 
the superintendent if they are not satisfied after discussions with 
teachers and administrators.

Christopher Manaseri, superintendent for the Brighton school 
district, said his district has a clearly defined process when 
parents have a problem with reading materials, including appeals to 
the superintendent's office.

"But it is relatively uncommon for parents to complain," said 
Manaseri, a 30-year educator.

In the past 8  1/2 years, the Brighton district has had only one 
formal complaint from a parent about reading material, he said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman