SEEK BRAVE MEASURES TO PROTECT YOUTH

Re: Drug police cuff kids at Kelvin (Dec. 1). While I am in absolute
support of the actions taken by the principal of Kelvin High School and the
Winnipeg police, I must challenge the comment in Brian MacKinnon's letter
that "parents of those convicted should also be fined." This is a battle
cry uttered far too easily and far too often.

My oldest son is 17. I am not an absentee parent, nor do I drink, smoke,
gamble or frolic. I hold a responsible position with a respectable firm
that supports family as a priority. My 17-year-old has attended Kelvin, as
well as another high school.

Responsibility implies some measure of control. I question the feasibility
in expecting a parent to continually track a teenager's whereabouts or
activities; to do so would require a private detective and would
demonstrate a lack of trust in the child that can damage an already often
trying and delicate relationship. With that said, the need to hold someone
accountable for their actions is understandable, but is holding the parents
accountable for these misguided teenagers really the answer? It would be
tough to deny that teenagers today are making very adult choices. The need
to hold them accountable is forsaken by a judicial system that does not.
Teenagers are aware that records are usually sealed at 18 years old, giving
them a virtual, if somewhat delusional, licence for a borderline criminal
rampage until 18. Adult criminals compound this problem by taking advantage
of their age-related relative immunity from long-term effects to their lives.

Perhaps we should consider lowering the age of majority to 16. Perhaps we
need to start trying these adult teenagers in adult court and not
automatically sealing records at 18, thereby impressing upon them that
there are long-term consequences to their actions. The biggest benefit, of
course, would be the deterrence this would present to the adult criminal
who can no longer take advantage of our kids.

It is our collective duty as adults to ensure that we recognize society for
both its advantages and its predators, and implement strategic, innovative
and brave measures to help protect our youth.

Rene Sierra

Winnipeg