Pubdate: Tue, 03 Mar 2009 Source: Peterborough Examiner, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2009 Osprey Media Group Inc. Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/4VLGnvUl Website: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2616 Author: Colin Purcell Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09.n259.a04.html DRUG EXPULSIONS AN OVERREACTION I have to wonder if there's more to this story about the five teenagers who were expelled from school for smoking pot. Could the principal have been actively looking for a reason to expel them? I'm not saying this is the case, but could they have been slackers and troublemakers to begin with? Because it seems absolutely ridiculous that they could be expelled for something so harmless. And if it really happened off school grounds, and off school time, then I can't see any logic behind such an extreme reaction. At the root of this problem there might be fundamental misconceptions about marijuana use and teenagers in general. First, anyone who's had exposure to drugs or has taken the time to do some research knows there's a world of difference between smoking weed and abusing drugs like cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine (crystal meth). So we're talking about expelling some kids for doing something that may or may not be any worse than smoking cigarettes. Second, anyone in the education system must (or at least should) know that teenagers are going to experiment when it comes to alcohol, sex, drugs and the like. To preach and expect complete abstinence is irresponsible, futile and just plain stupid. And what's this business about "trafficking?" Selling your friend a dime-bag of pot is not trafficking. That interpretation is an abuse of power and completely outside of the spirit of the law. If you pick up a 12-pack of beer on the way to a party and sell your friend six of them when you get there you're doing him a favour, not bootlegging. I highly doubt these kids are trafficking anything. I would have assumed a school principal would be more understanding and in tune with teenage culture. I'd have a hard time coming up with more than a few names of friends and acquaintances (born after 1960) that have never smoked pot at least once. Even Barak Obama has admitted to experimenting with drugs as a youth! Maybe I'm making assumptions about what generation is currently wielding power in our local school system. Maybe we'll have to wait for the next generation of educators before we can expect more rational thinking. Any way you look at it, the behaviour of the officials at PCVS is completely embarrassing. In the meantime, let's try to accept these kids for what they are: Teenagers growing up, not Colombian drug lords. My advice to the teenage readers: The next time a vice-principal demands that you hand over your cell phone, "just say no." Colin Purcell Braidwood Avenue - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin