Recently the Southwest Montana Community Change Project has announced that they will be releasing the names of students who have been cited of the crime “minor in possession.”
List of underage drinkers going to schools [Montana Standard]
21 and over
“All we’re doing is simply providing the information to the schools, which has not been done in a regular, procedural way,” McCartney said. “There just hasn’t been a process, and we’re trying to establish one; it’s up to the school how they want to use that information.” Linda Reksten, Butte schools superintendent, said the district welcomes the information. She said the goal of getting the list is not to punish kids, but rather help them as early as possible to address troubled behavior.
“We know that kids are going to make mistakes, but it’s important that we don’t ignore it,” she said. “If students are doing that kind of activity, we don’t see that as a positive; we want to intervene with them and the family as quickly as possible.” Reksten said some teachers and administrators have received the MIP citation information. But the district lacked a comprehensive system to ensure the entire staff was on the same page.” quote from Montana Standard
While it is against the law in all 50 states for anyone to be under the age of 21 to drink alcohol, there has been no representation for students who may not want to be singled out. As the article presents the facts, the Southwest Montana Community Change Project is looking to brand students with a “Scarlet Letter” to those who make poor decisions regarding alcohol use. Is releasing these names appropriate behavior or are we setting up a system that censures due process?
kmsmpirateradio
amhawks
