Letter: Parents Should Be Concerned About Violence, Drug Use

Print Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

Parents. Guardians. Friends. Family. We all know that we have a problem in our schools.

Fights. Vape pens. Marijuana. And edibles (gummies) none of this is going to let up. It will only get worse.

Yes, we all know we lack resource officers. Even with the help of the officers and the school this is still going to happen. What I am worried about is the drugs that are surfacing and kids coming home telling you, if they do. That this is going on, this person has this, or that but no one does anything about it.

Why cause the school and police can't really do anything unless they know who has it, where it came from. Yes, they have videos they can look at but some kids know where cameras are. There are some kids there that don't really understand about drugs. Well it could be the wrong kid he or she hangs with and asks do you have any candy or I'm hungry, etc.

The person gives him or her candy or food which isn't candy or food. Something happens, feels funny, has no idea what's happening. This autistic kid only knows he or she ate candy or food, doesn't know who gave it to him or her just thought in his mind that someone was helping him by giving him something to eat. Classmate at that.

Ends up in the hospital or something worse. Or one of your kids end up eating a whole bag of gummies thinking it's regular gummies

You get that call somethings wrong with your child he's doesn't want to tell you what happened cause he's so high, slurring words. Seeing thing that aren't there and so on which is very frightening and upsetting. Then your blaming the school, which now your wondering how these kids are affording this stuff either by selling it or was given to sell for some one else this is why parents need to start being involved. Who wants to see there child in a hospital or worse from an overdose that could have been prevented?

So parents keep your eyes out for signs. Check bags, if possible. Call school or police anonymously and let them know.
This is the only way we can help keep our kids safe. Just because our kids are in school it's not just the schools' problem, it's ours too, we brought them into this world.

To learn from us the rights and wrongs. To get an education they are still our kids that we care and protect. Help fight violence and addiction in our schools.

Kathy Armstrong
Pittsfield, Mass. 

 

 

 

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Dalton Select Board Argues Over Sidewalk Article

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — A heated discussion concerning sidewalks during Monday night's Select Board meeting resulted in the acting chair calling a recess to cool the situation. 
 
The debate stemmed from the two articles on the town meeting warrant for May 6 at 7 p.m. at Wahconah Regional High School. 
 
One proposes purchasing a sidewalk paver for $64,000 so sidewalks can be paved or repaired for less money, but they will use asphalt rather than concrete. The other would amend the town's bylaws to mandate the use of concrete for all future sidewalks. 
 
The article on concrete sidewalks was added to the warrant through a citizen petition led by resident Todd Logan. 
 
The board was determining whether to recommend the article when member John Boyle took the conversation in a new direction by addressing how the petition was brought about. 
 
"I just have a comment about this whole procedure. I'm very disappointed in the fact that you [Logan] have been working, lobbying various groups and implementing this plan and filed this petition six weeks ago. You never had any respect for the Select Board and …" Boyle said. 
 
Before Boyle could finish his statement, which was directed to Logan, who was in the audience, Chair Joe Diver called point of order via Zoom. 
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories