YOUTH WON'T LEARN FROM SLAPS ON WRIST

To the Editor of THE EAGLE:- It has been interesting to follow the reaction
to the arrest of young people in Great Barrington with drugs near a school.
It doesn't really matter how much or how little drugs they had with them.
It doesn't matter if the drugs were marijuana, cocaine or heroin. What
matters is that these young people had an illegal substance and were in the
vicinity of a school of young children who are great observers of the world
around them. They learn from what they see, not what we tell them.

It is possible to feel sympathy for these young people for an unguarded
moment while also believing that there are consequences for their actions.
When one considers the seriousness of drug crime in our beautiful
Berkshires, however, it is important to meet this problem head on.

Yes, the punishment may be viewed as harsh. Consequences are a way one
learns how to function in society in appropriate ways. The slap on the
wrist has not stopped minor offenders from progressing to more serious
illegal behavior. Parents learn this at their peril. We must say what we
mean, and mean what we say. There have been far too many excuses made for
lapses in judgment. Nothing is learned as long as there is an abuse excuse.
Tough love takes courage, but it is a better learning tool than
permissiveness. Thank you Mr. Capeless for sticking to your point of view
on this matter.

Adelle Michaud- Doerring

Adams