posted by Joe Polk at 9:00 AM /
As the number of underage drinking arrests in Mt. Lebanon is on pace to double this year, the town's district judge worries that it's only a matter of time before someone gets killed.
"I want more cooperation. I want every parent to understand this is an epidemic and we're going to lose somebody," said District Judge Blaise Larotonda, who estimates that at least 90 percent of the town's high school kids either drink or use drugs.
"I'm tired of it. There is going to be a death," he said.
Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/07074/769522-55.stm
Labels: district judge, high school, police
18 Comments:
It is absolutely right to be concerned about the rise in drinking-related arrests in Mt. Lebanon.
It is irresponsible and dangerous to allege that 90% of local high school students drink or use drugs. That statement also raises questions about the impartiality of the District Justice.
Amen, Mike. Agree we should be concerned, but the numbers seem fishy.
Sounds like the Justice made a sampling error - 90% of the kids that pass through his court drink/use drugs. Those same kids tell him that all of the kids they know drink/use drugs.
The sample is not representative of the entire population and is consequently biased.
Mike,
I would love to know how the magistrate's estimated number of 90% was compiled.
As we just witnessed the Mt. Lebanon athletic director, John Grogan and basketball coach Joe David made a mochery of underage drinking for student athletes in our district. The message was sent loud and clear...just don't do it on school grounds.
Maybe along with the parents the magistrate could educate the school district's personell.
Please post the Alamanac's version of Joe David and John Grogan's story.
Did some of you feel the article struck a chord with you or what? The past few comments seem to put the blame everywhere but where it should be placed... on the kids and the families. Since when is it the school or even the magistrates job to have to raise "your" kids. What strikes me is how so many people on here get defensive when the mention of parents and kids taking responsibility for their actions. I think the magistrate made some very telling comments. If you want to go with statistics... I would gather his many years as a police officer and now as a magistrate and his observations of those years are much more reliable then a few defensive parents on here who want to attack anyone or anything that asks them to look in the mirror.
It amazes me that people want to haggle of statistics instead of discussin the real issue here which is that our town and youth have some drug and alcohol issues. Too many times we follow the perception must be reality rule and thus like to ignore and pretend that somethings don't exist. Is it more important to protect your reputation, the community image or is it more important to do the right things.
It also amazes me that the same people who are critical of the school system for not doing their job outside of the school are the same people who complain about character education programs and other efforts that the schools make to instil values. You can't have it both ways folks.
Also, it amazes me how people keep wanting to point fingers at others on here. That is the danger of blogs and annonymity that they bring. I am taken back by how many slanderous remarks are poted on here... that are based on fact... that don't offer two sides of the story and certainly not by the people involved. There is a difference between ones opionion and slander. Some of the people discussed on this blog have families... wives... children... husband... how many of you would allow this type of irresponsible discussion to take place in your own offices or own homes.
If so many of you are concerend then do something about it besides sit behind a computer and point fingers... how about looking in the mirror and decide how you can play a role in coming up with solutions. The magistrate is not responsible for underage drinking issues in this community... Joey David is not responsible for drinking issues... the athletic director not responsible... we are responsible as a community... parents are responsible for their kids... and kids are responsible for "their" actions. Are we enabling our kids in this community or are we helping them? Are we looking in the mirror or are we playing the "other blame" game?
How about getting people together to solve the problem/ issues. Representatives from the community... school system... local officials. Sounds like a more productive idea to me. And for those of you who want to slander the magistrate... the boys basketball coach or athletic director... shame on you. Have a sense of decency... most of you have no idea what kind of people or character they have. And to judge them based on misinformation... a limited number of facts or even based on unfounded allegations presented on this blog is shallow at best. Before you post... remember the people you, in many cases, point fingers at are people and at least they are on the front lines dealing with they kids. Are you a blamer or willing to do something positive.
Thanks, *Anonymouse* at 5:56, for putting your name by your words, not calling anyone names, and not pointing fingers. I'll take your comments for what they're worth.
As the lady once wrote, it takes a village, and so on. People who occupy positions of authority and responsibility in our community get criticized when they make mistakes, and they should get criticized. It's the only way that the community improves. It's a democracy, folks, so exercise your right to speak freely.
Have a great day, and blog on!
Anonymous at 5:56 -
I wrote the 1st post (but forgot to sign it). Lebo Mom and I are both adamant about everyone taking responsibility: Parents, Neighbors, High School Administrators, etc. Mike questioned the ratio - 90%. I addressed the ratio. I suspect that number is sensationalist speculation.
I do agree with Blaise Laratonda that the situation is out of control and have myself stated many times that there's going to be a tragic accident.
Anonymous Mom of 3
"Underage arrests may double this year". A heading like that and the majority of you are harping on the fact that the magistrates fiqures might be off?!?! Come on people, if the fiqures are off now, they won't be for long if you don't start addressing the problem. Who cares if it's 30% or 90% it's still a problem and a serious one at that. If we start treating this as if it does effect 90% of OUR kids, would that be a bad thing?
Anonymous 11:07:
In fact, yes.
Mike,
How could that be a bad thing? Educating our kids on the perils of drugs and alcohol and doing so in the same fashion that we would if the majority of our kids were involved in such behaviors, there would be no benefit in that? Look, I'm aware that there are many great kids in Mt. Lebanon, most (if not all) of the kids I've come across are decent kids. But bad things happen to good people, and I can't see how drug and alcohol ed. that may be a little more intense than it already is, wouldn't benefit. Let me know!
Anon 11:07
Hi, I work for a not-for-profit agency dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking, so this headline captured my attention. While I am not familiar with your town, I do know that the issue of underage drinking impacts every community across the country.
I invite you all to visit our website www.centurycouncil.org for information about our various programs and resources that are available.
One of our current initiatives is to raise awareness about the rise in drinking among teenage girls. Right now we have a "Create Your Own TV Commercial Contest" for teen girls to create a PSA about the dangers of underage drinking. The winner receives $5000 and a trip to see their idea turned into a real PSA. You can find details about this contest at http://grltlk.org/go/promos-and-contests
I hope you can find something on our site that is helpful!
Man in the mirror... yes it is true that it takes a village to raise a child. And that is exactly the point. As for exercising one's right to speak freely... also comes responsibility. Slander and defamation of character last time I checked weren't a basic right u are guaranteed. As for statistics... please refer to the following link.
http://www.sadd.org/stats.htm#underage
It seems that our magistrate might be right on the mark. And as for criticizing people in our community for making what you refer to as mistakes. I would think the honorable thing to do would be to get your facts straight first... possibly speak with that person... before you post allegations which fellow bloggers assume as some truth. Urban legends have to start somewhere... why not start our own suburban legends right here in blog leboland.
If you really want to have a quality discussion. How about posting a topic dealing with the pros and cons of blogging... discussing the responsible and irresponsible uses of blogs.
Here is some food for thought:
http://www.dba-oracle.com/oracle_news/2005_9_1_liable_blog_comments.htm
http://dba-oracle.com/internet_laws_message_boards_forums_blogs_personal_liability.htm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,,329598687-103681,00.html
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=16789
It's a democracy folks... so respect the rights of others.
Anonymous 11:34 -- Education is a great thing. I agree with you. Let's do more and better. I disagree that we should prejudge the guilt of 90% of the student population (or any population).
Leah -- Thanks!
Anon 12:27 -- The SADD stats are impressive but don't back up a statement that 90% of Mt. Lebanon High School students drink or use drugs.
Regarding the links about blogging -- very impressive! Before you throw around words like "slander" and "defamation," learn something about the history and purpose of the First Amendment, and what "slander" and "defamation" really are. Come take one of my classes at the law school; I teach this stuff.
I challenged the credibility of statement that 90% of Mt. Lebanon High School students drink or use drugs. That statement is backed up by the good faith, personal sensibility of a long-serving police officer, but by nothing else. I suggested that the statement raises questions about the District Justice's impartiality. Which it does; under the Pennsylvania Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 2(A), a judge must avoid even the appearance of partiality -- i.e., among other things, must avoid even *the impression,* in the mind of a reasonable person, that he or she may prejudge cases. I'm sure that the DJ actually approaches his work fairly. But the impression is important, and it's important not only to me (willing to assume good faith in the courtroom) but also to anyone and everyone who may appear before him.
I too must question the 90% claim (assuming we don't count all those kids of Paxil, Lexapro, Ritalin, etc - as drug users). I think the police officers and magistrate may suffer a little too much from selection bias.
I am a high school coach and spend 2 hours a day with high school kids. There is no way 90% of these kids use drugs/alcohol on a regular basis. Many do, or have experimented; but this does not make 90%. Are the kids I coach representative of all high school kids - no, and that is the point!
If you really want to solve the underage drinking problems, lower the drinking age!
Anon 9:51:
Would making drunk driving legal solve that isuue? I lived in the UK for many years. Lowering the drinkling age will solve nothing. Education and awareness are the answers.
I realize I'm joining the discussion a bit late. Mike - I think you're right to be wary of judges appearing partial. However, I'm a little skeptical that the remarks printed in the article go so far as to cast the DJ in such a light.
From the first paragraph:
"... we're going to lose somebody," said District Judge Blaise Larotonda, who estimates that at least 90 percent of the town's high school kids either drink or use drugs.
From later on:
From talking with kids during cases, Judge Larotonda said he's been told only about 10 percent of high school kids don't drink or use drugs.
Based on those indirect quotes, it's hard for me to say exactly how much estimating Laura Pace is doing for Judge Larotonda. The first quote sounds like it was stretched into a firsthand "estimation", whereas the second quote is more the judge doing a little hearsay.
Perhaps there are folks in the community who are not aware of a community coalition called PAUSA (Partnership Against Underage Substabce Abuse. This group is composed of the Lebo police department, magistrate, Outreach, School District, St. Clair Hospital, faith community, community groups, parents, and concerned citizens. The thrust of their activities is to educate parents to the dangers and consequences of bad choices surrounding drugs and alcohol. All Lebo residents are welcome to visit the PAUSA website for more information. PAUSA also distributes facts and articles in school newsletters and flyers, attends PTA meetings, distributes brochures, and patcipates in sports and community events with hand-outs.
Parents who enable and/or turn a blind eye to underage drinking with the rationale "I did it too" don't fully understand the consequences and realities of today's world. For example, were YOU googled when you applied for job 20 years ago?
If people fee 90% is an exageration perhaps some feel that maybe 70% is an acceptable statistic?
I think you misunderstand the whole point about the statistics. There should be no "feelings" involved at all - statistics should be about actual numbers collected in an unbiased manner.
There are alot of people who abuse alochol here in Mt Lebanon, and drugs for that matter..its the ADULTS! children learn from their parents, that is why most children induldge in such behavior, so the problem is not really the kids, its the parents who set bad examples and then tell their kids, oh dont do what I do!
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