A spokesperson from the Suffolk County Police Department's Second Precinct confirmed that a 16-year-old student was arrested at Northport High School on Wednesday and charged with acting in a manner to injure a child for allegedly giving a prescription drug to a 14-year-old student.
Superintendent Marylou McDermott declined to give particulars on the incident. District Clerk Beth Nystrom confirmed that the superintendent doesn't comment on issues pertaining to individual students.
The Northport Board of Education is pursuing the use of drug-sniffing dogs at the High School, an at a board meeting Aug. 31. There would be no charge to the district for the service, which would be conducted by the police department, but parents would need to be notified in advance.
At the Sept. 26 BOE meeting, Principal Irene McLaughlin suggested that students should be involved in the discussion as well, perhaps through representatives from the Student Council.
Trustee Donna McNaughton stressed the need to engage all members of the community, including the Drug and Alcohol Task Force, and suggested that a bulleted set of talking points about the use of dogs be posted on the district's website. She said she'd heard from one parent who suggested that sweeps should be conducted at the middle school level as well.
McDermott emphasized the proactive and rehabilitative nature of the sweeps saying, "We're watching out for them (students)."
The point I was trying to make is that it might have been something that many people do -- share prescription medicine. Cathy said that the drug education her son got did not include the dangers of prescription medicine. As parents, we need to spell out to our kids why you can only get certain drugs with a prescription (because they are dangerous when used improperly) and that they have to stay away from all drugs unless prescribed to them by a doctor.
I would love to speak with you in a more private forum, mother to mother. If you would be so kind to contact me at walshboxing@gmail.com. Just know that you and your family, as well as all of the families that have been affected by drugs are in my thoughts everyday.
Yes you must remain diligent, and watch your teenagers, but let me say this, I found out about my son taking pills the night the detectives knocked on my door to tell me he was dead. I never even thought he was doing anything like that. I only hope that some other child has thought twice about taking a pill after hearing about my son. It doesen' t matter folks, weather it is you the parents or the school or their friends as long as they get the message that drugs kill and destroy.
Please, for your children's sake, stop being so judgmental of those that have kids that have done drugs, open your hearts and minds. There are many moms and dads that have done everything right and still their kids don't always do the right thing, they make bad choices that have life altering consequences.
Take your heart wrenching comments, and then I consider others who in their own misguided sense of independence and freedoms have commented here about how we need to be more hands off, and the schools should not engage, that the police should stay out of it, it is stunning. The message I take from those of you who have experienced tragedy, while vigilance is only a part of the equation, but I don't think that you would advocate less. I have said it many times before. These children spend far too much time worrying about their rights and many parents encourage it. The result to often is the perception of: rights = no rules, which of course as most adults realize is ridiculous.
Thanks for commenting. No one can judge unless they have walked in your shoes. So sorry for the loss of your son.
The kids downtown that I know are 17 years old and will be going away to college next year. They are out late with each other but I seriously doubt they are drunk or high They engage with me when I speak with them and do not appear to be intoxicated. Their parents feel that it is important to let them experience the freedom to roam while they can still exert some control over them. Too many kids go nuts with drugs and alcohol when they are finally "off the leash" at college. These kids are honor students at Northport and Harborfields. They work with younger children and are regarded a good role models by their supervisors. Please do not lump all the teens downtown together. It is unfair to them.
"Amy, I am with Eliza. Please clean your glasses as you are missing something here. Honor student or not, they can also be the problem. Honor students also arrive at the parties that are the problem. Yes, It is a shame that the good kids are also blamed but it has always been that way. I can tell you that from experience. I believe you see all these kids downtown through rose colored glasses and do you wonder what can happen in the next couple of hours when uncontrolled? It is kids, not middle school or high school, they are all susceptible to the temptation of wrongful acts, especially in groups. Look at the group in downtown Manhattan, they are basically young and are protesting and when interviewed by the press, have no idea what and why they are protesting. This is the problem with good kids and bad kids in that their judgment can be clouded at the moment because they are kids, not adults. If they roam free, you never know what is going to happen." I will respond below.
There are always many ways to achieve a goal, and no one way is best in all cases. My child is on track to become an adult who makes a positive contribution to society. You may raise your children differently with the same result. Your way works for you and your child, my way works for me and my child. It might not be so the other way around. I don't think you can find a one-size-fits-all solution. But we certainly agree that parents have to take an active role in raising their kids.
I truly hope so! I hope that all parents are aware, that no matter what background you come from, no matter how much money you have, all our kids can become a stastic unfortunately. I know the best of kids in college, party way too much and screw up their first year. It is our job to prepare our kids to go out in the world without us. I don't have my kids on a leash but I do want to know who they are with and what they are doing when they do go downtown. I am just trying to keep them away from trouble. It is all I can do.... before they are out on their own. Just like you.....
Thanks Mary! Your concerns are well noted! What are your thoughts on the subject of how many shoes are atypical of that?
I say to all of you, worry.