FIRST LESSON

First day of school in Westwood and the high school kids were gathered
for a talk in the auditorium.

Four individuals were quietly pulled out. All four had marijuana on
their person.

This was not a fling on the last day of class. This was four high
school children carrying marijuana into class on the very first day of
school.

This makes a statement. It says these four kids are starting out
their school year with an attitude. School is of secondary importance.

They want marijuana before anything else. They even sashayed into
school with some of the stuff, and are ready to use it before they
even open a book. This is dangerous.

Westwood is a marvelous school system. It offers students the top of
the line in school programs, extracurricular activities and an
excellent chance to move to a top college.

Marijuana compromises all that. It is illegal and it is
addictive.

Two deadly sins. Maybe college kids or adults can argue that
marijuana has useful medical purpose. Some can argue that the
material has genuine leisure value. But these are four high school
kids.

Fact is marijuana influences attention. For a high school student,
it is therefore deadly.

Westwood is saying little about the specifics. School officials say
some of the students are girls and some boys, none are freshmen. That
is all authorities would say. Charges might be filed, but police would
not comment.

Principal Jean Wentworth said the four were not caught smoking
marijuana. While she would not say what their whole punishment might
be, the students are receiving a 10-day suspension as part of the
penalty. Ten days may seem harsh.

It is. It is supposed to tell the four students and the other
hundreds of students that bringing marijuana to school is against the
law and, much worse, can ruin their education.

Hopefully, this penalty will give all Westwood students their first
big lesson of the year.