Pubdate: Thu, 13 Dec 2001
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2001 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact:  http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Author Chris Buors

UP TO PARENTS TO INSTRUCT STUDENTS

Up to parents to instruct students Brian Mackinnon ought to understand that 
Kelvin High School is no different than any other Manitoba high school in 
terms of drug use or dealing, according to the Addictions Foundation of 
Manitoba.

What Carol Falkowski doesn't tell her readers is that "dangerous drugs" is 
a political designation. Even more dangerous than the ecstasy described by 
Ms Falkowski is that street drugs are of unknown purity. That fact has not 
stopped youths from taking a bite of the forbidden fruit since time began. 
Temptation is ever present and it is the duty of parents, and not the 
school, to instruct their children in moral matters.

Bringing the full force of the law to bear on students at Kelvin will 
simply teach the students disrespect for the law. Why would Mr. Mackinnon 
stop at a fine for the parents of student dealers? Perhaps their 
grandparents could be arrested and subjected to the third degree along with 
the school kids; no one gets out until someone talks, that'll teach them 
scofflaws some respect for the law.

Personally, I would not want to send my children to a school where 
closed-minded authoritarians like Mr. Mackinnon teach my kid intolerance 
and injustice. Personally I would rather see a return to the parents 
teaching the four classic virtues of St. Thomas Aquinas: prudence, 
temperance, justice and fortitude that are sorely lacking in those who 
promote the drug-war model of how to control vice.

Chris Buors

Winnipeg
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MAP posted-by: Beth