.
Feedback

Northport HS Student Arrested

A 16-year-old student was arrested at Northport High School on Wednesday for giving a prescription drug to another student.

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)."

Amy Waldhauer October 1, 2011 at 01:09 pm
Oops! Shows how much I know about prescription allergy medicine. Thanks, Debbie, for pointing that out.
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.
Northport Community Book Club October 1, 2011 at 02:06 pm
Cathy,
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.
Mary Silberstein October 2, 2011 at 02:19 am
You, of course, are allowed. As am I.... Observer knows about us. So does the Times. There are others who care and get it. More need to. You don't have to be a fan but do need to be involved in issues like this. It isn't just the school. It is all of us. Parents are a HUGE piece. Unfortunately many don't get it.
Mary Silberstein October 2, 2011 at 02:21 am
The Task Force meets once a month at the Adm. Building on Laurel. Call the school and ask for Anthony Ferrandino. He is the Chair and can tell you when we are meeting next.
Mary Silberstein October 2, 2011 at 02:21 am
Definately!
Northport Community Book Club October 2, 2011 at 11:51 am
The Task Force meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month. It is on the school calendar as well as our website (http://nptbookjunkies.webs.com). The next meeting is Oct. 12th 7-9pm at the Laurel Ave School (Superintendent's Conference Room). The Northport Community Book Club participates in all Task Force events and activities. The book club will be meeting on Oct. 4th 7-9pm at the East Northport Library) (Community Meeting Room. We invite you to all come to see what we are about even if you haven't read the books. Join us on facebook, stay informed about all issues related to drug and alcohol abuse (www.facebook.com/nptbookjunkies). We are more than a book club. We are working toward creating a drug-free community one step at a time. We need the support and wisdom of all community members. We are also creating drug/alcohol free community events. We sponsored a FREE BBQ for the community in July, we had over 100 community members attend the event. It was a huge success. As the word about us spreads these events will be even bigger, so join us on our website, facebook page, come to our book discussion or attend a task force meeting. We can't wait to see some new faces.
East N'ptr October 2, 2011 at 03:40 pm
Cathy, thank you so much for sharing your heartbreaking story on this thread. Your story just shows that no parent, no matter how much they do for their kids, how much they love their kids and no matter how much they preach to their kids about avoiding the bad things in this world, nothing can really guarantee that a teenager will not make a split second bad decision that can have a life-changing.impact. We as parents not only have to stay diligent in reminding our kids about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, but also have to implement stronger consequences for their use. It's just too common and too easy for parents to be in denial and "trust" their child when they say they won't do it again. These are teenagers. Manipulating their parents by telling them what they want to hear is usually enough to avoid punishment, which won't stop the behavior.
Broken Hearted Mom October 2, 2011 at 03:43 pm
I am speaking from experience. I lost a child to suicide induced by drugs prescribed to her by "professionals" for anxiety. Our beautiful child became extremely depressed while taking an ANTI-depressant, and she took her own life. Our society promotes the prescription of drugs for EVERYTHING! This is the society our children are raised in. The problem is not the school, but it is the political pressure placed on the school to "make an example" of children who make mistakes. A 16 year old who can't vote, drink, buy cigarettes or legally have intercourse can be charged as an adult endangering a minor? Open your eyes people......the problem is our system, and it's a democracy,.....this is a community......it's not your child, his child, her child, it's OUR children. Stop pointing the finger and get aware. Arresting a 16 year old in front of her peers and parading her through the school in hand cuffs is appropriate? She needs to be reeducated and counseled about the dangers of drugs. This type of punishment is isolating and will further lead to more abuse of drugs to relieve the shame and loneliness....and with the risk of teen suicide.....I don't want that on my hands. It isn't the administration that is or isn't doing anything...it's what they have to do to avoid the blame that blind parents are placing. Everyone needs to stop and take a better look around them. WE need to change the system for ALL of our children. Don't kid yourself, 24/7 child monitoring isn't realistic.
Cathy October 2, 2011 at 08:35 pm
East n'ptr,
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.
Cathy October 2, 2011 at 09:18 pm
My heart goes out to you, broken hearted mom, losing a child is the most gut wrenching, mind boggling, bring you to your knees experience I hope the rest of you never have to go through.
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.
Broken Hearted Mom October 2, 2011 at 09:21 pm
Hi Cathy. I'm so sorry for your loss. I admire that fact that you have chosen to educate others by sharing the knowledge you gained from your tragedy. Your feedback encouraged me to open up as well. My little girl was a great kid. She wasn't suicidal, and she wasn't a "drug user".......but she was......confused? I was too. My daughter drank alcohol with her friends on the weekend and occasionally smoked pot........I now understand that if I include those two drugs, she was a drug user as are the MAJORITY of kids in Northport High School. If any parent on here is blind to this fact, then wake up...Between peer pressure, and the belief in our society that drinking and smoking pot are no big deal combined with the thought that "everybody does it, and "it's no big deal".....you have our generation of kids today. The cream of the crop hung out in my home, and they still do, and they experiment. My situation is a little different than others as my daughter's overdose was a result of a clinically induced depression, but I can tell you that my daughter used to tell me what other people's children were doing, and that same parent used to tell me "My daughter would never do that"........The blindness has to stop.....Parents have to open their minds and face the denial.......Kids are going to be kids, and every child is vulnerable to a bad choice due to inexperience, peer pressure or curiosity. Society has gotten out of control, and WE are SOCIETY. We can get it under control together.
Broken Hearted Mom October 2, 2011 at 09:49 pm
Hi db. I read all of your posts, and your opinions are very strong. You assumed that one of the authors of the posts was a teacher, and I'm not sure why. One does not have to be an educator to demonstrate common sense and compassion. Life is a long learning process, and kids will be kids. Kids do stupid things and make bad choices, but that is how they learn. I agree that consequences are necessary....that is how we learn, but it is important to keep in mind that we are trying to teach a lesson, and the goal is for something to be achieved. When parents post antagonistic responses attacking and belittling other people's ideas....what is learned? Perhaps, that isn't okay to share different ideas? Maybe this is the place where we could all come together, and share and respect ideas so that we can learn something from one another as well. Parents and educators really need to examine the problem more closely, and work together to find solutions. It is really difficult to be a teenager today with all of the technology, the advanced media, social networking etc, and the world of readily prescribed drugs for almost ailment. You made reference to your age, and perhaps you are so far removed from what these kids are exposed to, and that may explain your insensitivity to the topic. Instead of making an example of children, we should learn how to set better examples for them. These are just my thoughts added respectfully.
Chris October 3, 2011 at 12:04 pm
BHM, this is exactly what I say all the time : "Between peer pressure, and the belief in our society that drinking and smoking pot are no big deal combined with the thought that "everybody does it, and "it's no big deal".....you have our generation of kids today." Now add many parents who either have abdicated their parental responsibility in favor of a libertarian parental relationship or those who want to be friends rather than a force of guidance in their kids lives
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.
Donna Panarello October 3, 2011 at 11:53 pm
Cathy,
Thanks for commenting. No one can judge unless they have walked in your shoes. So sorry for the loss of your son.
eliza October 4, 2011 at 04:37 am
Smoking pot should not be legalized and the drinking problem should be addressed as well. The parents should take a good look at themselves and realize that they are part of the problem. I am not saying that all parents are at fault. I see alot of kids downtown all hours of the night, drunk and whatever else they are doing. Why are the parents letting these kids stay out and do whatever they want? I just don't get it and I never will. I keep a close watch on my kids and I need to know where they are at all times and who they are with. The parties that I hear about are horrible. Drugs starting in middle school because the parents are out themselves when these parties are going on. Wake up everyone, kids need to be watched and kids need to be able to talk to their parents.Stop thinking about yourselves, not all parents... but some and parent your kids a little harder. Yes the best of parents have lost kids to drugs and my heart breaks... and for that reason alone..we should watch, listen and look for all the signs of drugs and alcohol when our kids come home at night. Have a reasonable curfew... don't let your kids walk the streets like we did.Our society has changed, it is not the 50's anymore.
Amy Waldhauer October 4, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Eliza, how old are your kids? If you are talking about middle school kids who are out late that is one thing, but if you mean older kids I have to disagree.
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 Waldhauer October 4, 2011 at 07:07 pm
There was a response to my comment but I cannot see it on this page. Old Fisherman wrote:
"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.
Amy Waldhauer October 4, 2011 at 07:22 pm
My point is that I let my child run free because I can control him now. I will not be able to control him in a year when he will have no curfew and no parents bugging him to act right. I know all his friends (and most of their parents) and would have no problem butting into their lives if I thought something was going wrong. I want my child to know how to take care of himself without me. In my opinion, my job as a parent is to make sure that happens.
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.
Mary Silberstein October 5, 2011 at 02:46 am
Please do join us.... Again not to debate but to find solutions. We are not interested in argueing or pointing fingers. We are interested in coming together and working on solutions. Meeting is next week - Wednesday night. If you are interested in joining us and finding solutions come. If you are interested in only arguing or finding fault. Stay away.
eliza October 6, 2011 at 03:12 am
Amy,
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.....
Irene Mclaughlin June 21, 2012 at 04:31 am
@Mary Silberstien:
Thanks Mary! Your concerns are well noted! What are your thoughts on the subject of how many shoes are atypical of that?
Old Fisherman June 21, 2012 at 06:17 pm
Why? So we can have a bunch of spaced out druggies driving around when alcohol and drunk driving are a prime example of what happens when you make a brain limiting substance legal. We have persons that can't control them selves. The woman that drove the wrong way on the Taconic Parkway under the influence is definitely what is wrong with making drugs legal.
Old Fisherman June 21, 2012 at 06:35 pm
I'm sorry, broken hearted Mom but I have to agree with db. The kids today get away with to much because of bleeding heart parents and examples should be set.I must say it is not only Northport with this problem but all schools today. The child wasn't thinking, he or she is only a child, his or hers first offense (our courts have a way of dealing with first offenders), I agree when db says, "We will never make a dent in the problem as long as you bleeding hearts are around." "Stop rationalizing, look around you, its not working. How true!!!!!!
Northport Police August 13, 2012 at 02:58 pm
northport high wil always remain Snortport...especially with all you mommys and daddys supplying your children with endless money and thinking their little angels. I graduated from northport and its got its good people but the majority of kids were spoiled rotten little drug addicts who never worked a day in their lives and had everything handed to them by their parents. Free drugs, nice cars, no jobs, no questions all supplied by the parents...now tell me, why do you think so many kids are overdosing? i know first hand. Ive had 7 friends pass away from 2006 just from heroin and roxicet. WAKE THE HELL UP NORTHPORT YOUR CHILDREN WILL END UP DEAD OR IN JAIL!
Necker December 12, 2012 at 11:11 pm
Cathy, I am heartfully sorry for your loss. I can only imagine the pain that you live with on a daily basis. I have a high school age child also who is drug/alcohol free and has always been. My son has stopped going out of the house because of the problems with drugs and alcohol in our community. I say get drug-sniffing dogs in our schools and let the PARENTS be responsible for their children. And NO children should not have their lives ruined at 16 years old. They need guidance not arrests.
Necker December 12, 2012 at 11:14 pm
@ Julie -- I agree. A CHILD should not be prosecuted and their lives ruined at 16 for lapse of judgment. The parents need to take a stronger hold whether it be a private institution, half way house, something other than a life thrown away at 16.
Necker December 12, 2012 at 11:17 pm
@Db and Old Fisherman -- consequences are inevitable and should be in place but at a different level. I don't that jail will do anybody justice. It's our job to raise, decent, law-abiding citizens and there is a learning process in that. I don't know the answer but I know your's is not it.
Necker December 12, 2012 at 11:20 pm
I agree with you Mary. It hurts the entire community.
Cathy December 12, 2012 at 11:42 pm
Where is your compassion people ? Another mom and I shared our most painful episode in our life on this post. The comments are truly hurtful. I know what most of you think of my child and hers......and it hurts... And brings tears...and deep unbridled sorrow. The message we are trying to convey to all of you, is that if our child could die this way, so can yours. Our children were deeply loved, taught the dangers of doing drugs, taught to work hard and have respect for themselves and others, but all the teaching in this world di not save them. Keep the drugs out of your children's hands, love them everyday, hope for the best. Identify any problems you may see and deal with them as best you can. My son did not want to die, I am sure he just thought he was being part of the crowd. Peer pressure is a powerful motivator for young people. The last time I saw him, I was telling him to drive careful , don't speed, take your time. His last words to me as he walked out the door was " I know you're a mom, I know its's your job to worry, but don' t worry mom".
I say to all of you, worry.
Old Fisherman December 13, 2012 at 05:08 am
I did!!!!

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Northport Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something