DJWcoach,

I wish to extend my sympathy for the tragic loss of your sister. I know you and her will be in all our thoughts and prayers. Too many people have lost friends and loved ones due to tragic accidents involving alcohol. That is a major reason why this is such an important topic.

Red Storm and Egg, I definitely agree with you that a student should be held strictly accountable to an agreement that the student and/or parent signs such as the one the Shawnee Mission School District has made a requirement for their student athletes to be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities. There is no controversy on that issue in my opinion and I think most people would agree with that.

This topic is asking us whether this zero tolerance policy of Shawnee Mission on a first time alcohol use in season is proper punishment or does it go too far. My first thoughts on the issue were that it was probably too severe for a first offense. But I am starting to change my mind. The use of alcohol my a teenager is potentially a very severe problem that can have devasting and tragic consequences for the offender and others. We all know how vulnerable teenagers are to accidents in their early years of driving. We also know that when you add alcohol into the mix that the dangers of driving for a teenager increase significantly.

I believe a proper punishment along with being a good corrective instrument for the offender needs to be a good preventive tool for others. That is why I am changing my mind on this Shawnee Mission policy for first time alcohol users in season. Due to the potential serious consequences both to the offender and others, I think this a good policy because I do believe it can prevent many young people from using alcohol. I would like to see the KSHSAA consider this Shawnee Mission rule for all schools under its jurisdiction.