Alcohol becomes a serious problem at the Brook

Written By:
Eleanor Sciannella

Assistant Editor

Published:
Feb. 25 2010

Alcohol possession, consumption and distribution seem to be on the rise as four students are currently suspended for 10 days with a recommendation for expulsion for doing that very crime. These students were found with alcohol in their backpacks and giving out small portions to other students in juice, soda, water, Gatorade or opaque sports bottles. Security also found two empty beer cans in a boy’s bathroom on the third floor.

Principal Dr. Debra Mugge sent out an email to all staff about this issue and Head of Security Oliver Riggs will also give a presentation during the faculty meeting on April1 to increase awareness on the danger of students carrying alcohol in school.

"We have tried to raise awareness with the teachers because [pouring alcohol into juice containers] is a good way to hide it. Most people don’t even pay attention to it. We want to make teachers aware that this is happening in their classrooms," Riggs said.

Teachers will be reminded that if they suspect a student of possession, consumption or distribution of alcohol in school then they are to contact security and not to deal with the issue themselves. If a student is taking an unusually long time to go to the bathroom or has juice containers open in the classroom, teachers are warned that they may have alcohol and therefore should be checked.

"It is bad that kids are doing that, I do not drink and other people my age should not either. Security should put more attention to the kids that are drinking and find out why they think they need to drink in school," freshman Nelsy Marmol said.

Students who are found drinking alcohol on school property will get a citation for consuming an intoxicant on school property and for possession of an intoxicant on school property. If a student is caught passing alcohol to another student on school property, they will also receive a citation for distribution of an intoxicant on school property.

"Honestly, to solve the problem all you need to do is only allow students to have clear bottles with them, and not allow other drinks in class," senior Kevin Mack said.

Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) policy says that the possession, consumption or distribution of intoxicants on school property will result in a ten day suspension with a recommendation for expulsion.