Police arrested two male seniors at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, one for possession and one for distribution of ADD medication illegally, principal Alan Goodwin said. Police also questioned and searched five other male seniors but allowed them to return to class.
The investigation began at the beginning of second period, after a “concerned citizen” notified the administration, assistant principal Brandi Heckert said.
The two students, whom police took into custody, received the maximum school punishment of a ten-day suspension with a recommendation for expulsion and will face the zero tolerance penalty.
The investigation is ongoing, Goodwin said.
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Sincerely, A Girl • May 15, 2012 at 8:14 am
Yeah, and they were adults, these are high school kids very diffrent story.
The Beatles Got High - Richard Ault • May 14, 2012 at 6:18 pm
Just sayin’
Mr.Spock • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:34 am
Luke, if they had murdered someone wouldn’t people be allowed to know? The fault is their’s and they should feel an ammount of shame over doing something so dumb and illegal. When politicians get written up over scandals does the Post or any other newspaper say “Hmmm, maybe we shouldn’t write this. It might hurt the feelings of the man’s family…”. No, because journalism is about integrety and what’s right and we have to know that even the least dangerous thing to do that is still illegal is going to get you in trouble, otherwise why should someone listen to a rule that isn’t enforced?
A (Hopefully) Slightly More Mature Voice • Nov 14, 2011 at 10:09 pm
The comments on this article show how truly naive some high schoolers are. Delving briefly:
1. I’m a former Whitman student. I’m not going to tell you my name. If you want to know something about me that is relevant to this argument, I’m more than happy to tell you. But, ideas are far more relevant than authors.
2. I knew a lot of kids who smoked weed in high school. I knew a lot of kids who possessed weed on Whitman’s property. I know none who got caught.
3. This story illustrates the problem with zero tolerance laws. Marijuana and study-drugs are on the same level as murder. Mandatory suspension, recommendation for expulsion, and police referral. That’s dumb.
4. The majority of people who commented on this story will try weed in college (as a statistic). It will be illegal and you will do it anyways. Indubitably, the freshmen commentators will claim that they will never “do drugs.” Similarly, years ago, in 5th and 6th grade, many of us believed we would never have unprotected sex. Or would have sex before marriage. Your views are colored by your very limited experience.
5. Weed is not a harmful drug. It doesn’t belong in the same category as other drugs. Look across the nation at decriminalization efforts in many many states. Possession of marijuana on school property should have a penalty, but certainly not recommendation for expulsion (see the point about zero tolerance).
6. It is highly inappropriate for a school newspaper to publish an article like this one. I read it, then I texted a whitman student who I’m friends with, and asked “who got arrested?” Now I know who it was. If I had a penny for each student who did this, I’d probably have about a dollar. If I had a penny for each person they told, I’d probably have about 20 dollars. The whole school knows as a result of this article. The appropriate comparison for this article is a WashPost article titled “You can find a video compilation of the 8th grade porn from Pyle last year. All you need to do is google ‘pyle whores sooo funny’.” While sensitive information is not directly being conveyed and the black and white may be within legal grounds, ethically, something wrong is happening.
Not okay. • Oct 13, 2011 at 9:03 am
Nononononoonoonono. You’re all wrong… The girl who grouped Marijuana in the same category as crack cocaine and heroine on the grounds of them all being illegal – you’re wrong because there are different degrees of illegality, which is why we have class a b anc c drugs and different penalties for different crimes. Moreover, im not disagreeing with the law, but just to blindly accept what it says and not question whether or not the law is necessary is ignorant. Therefore, you cant base you’re argument solely upon whats scribbled in some law books. Danny (My name’s John barnes btw as your so concerned with who people are) You’re wrong because you’re comparing the black & white to the New York Times, or any legitamite real world news paper for that matter. The black & white focuses on the ordeals of students, the majority of whom are minors, and the real world news papers do not. So the b&w has a responsibility to treat these stories with more sensitivity. What these kids did was wrong, but their punishment shouldnt extend to public humiliation, thats just medieval. “Take a seat tough guy before the seat takes you.”
Danny McClanahan • Oct 7, 2011 at 12:10 pm
Hi, what’s your name? Please explain how my comment was irrelevant or the analogy extreme when it kinda deals precisely with the issue at hand…
Eric Warshawsky • Oct 7, 2011 at 10:24 am
I did not know seats could possess people! Thank you for the invaluable information! I will watch seats more carefully now.
A Extremely Irritated student • Oct 6, 2011 at 9:48 pm
Danny you seem to be trying to use extremes to proove a point which is completely unaplicable to a high school situation. Take a seat tough guy before the seat takes you.
An angered student • Oct 6, 2011 at 9:00 pm
Never did I say anything about them not being bad acts which were wrong for them to do. Your entire comment was an irrelevant way of making yourself look smarter and tougher than me. This has been pretty consistent throughout the whole thread as well.
An angered student • Oct 6, 2011 at 8:54 pm
I am and you’re wrong, you compared this school paper to the New York Times which is completely irrelevant. Just because you use big words and attack people because their “too scared” doesn’t mean that you are right or smarter than others.
Danny McClahanan • Oct 6, 2011 at 7:39 pm
refer to previous post
another angered student • Oct 6, 2011 at 1:51 pm
this isnt the new york times this is a school newspaper….
an angered student • Oct 6, 2011 at 1:26 pm
nom nom nom nom grr ah!!!
Eric Warshawsky • Oct 6, 2011 at 10:13 am
Danny you are truly amazing. Just saying.
Danny McClanahan • Oct 6, 2011 at 7:13 am
rofl “an angered student” you’re too scared to put your real name on your comment and you expect people to take you seriously? That’s of course disregarding the fact that this was blatantly against the law, the kind of stuff that gets people in jail if they’re over 18, and it happened on school grounds. By that logic, the New York Times is just yellow journalism when it prints information about the crime rate. There’s a distinct difference.
An angered student • Oct 5, 2011 at 5:20 pm
the black and white might as well be peoplesdirt.com
Anonymous • Oct 4, 2011 at 1:27 pm
Actually we CAN put marijuana in the same list with cocaine, heroine, etc. because it is STILL ILLEGAL. sure it may not do serious damage like other drugs, but it is still an illegal drug.
Danny McClanahan • Oct 4, 2011 at 12:19 pm
Oh and the concerned citizen needs to be punished for telling someone about illegal activities? This is a school, not a mob.
Danny McClanahan • Oct 4, 2011 at 12:17 pm
rofl ahahaha so drug abuse isn’t a story in an area (school grounds) where it’s specifically outlawed? In addition, these kids need respect for not only possessing but distributing drugs? They’re the idiots who decided to do this when they knew it’d affect their futures (although if they’re distributing drugs they probably didn’t have much of a future anyway), and now you’re saying the “concerned citizen” should be blamed? i thought kids were supposed to be smart here
ADHD Kid • Oct 4, 2011 at 11:34 am
As someone who takes medication like Adderall I think it is ridiculous that it they are in this insane amount of trouble. If I brought my meds to school so I could pay attention, medication subscribed to me, I would be in an insane amount of trouble. But its not like I’m using weed, which makes me high and negatively affects my ability to learn. In fact, Adderall increases one’s ability to learn, and therefore this penalty is out of line
Society • Oct 3, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Ok, so you believe that all drugs are bad, think again. Marijuana causes no deaths, however putting marijuana into the same catorgory at heroin, crack, and pills is a huge mistake. Also pills have been named the new gateway drug. I dont think that anywhere did anyone say that drugs in school is acceptable. Pills are definitly bad and the kids deserved what they got for thier crime. IF you decide to sell drugs you are taking a risk and the risk is getting caught or getting killed. These kids got caught for selling and being in possesion of these pills. They do not deserve a lesser sentence for their crime nor do they deserve a greater penalty. The reporting of this event is beneficial to the community because it shows that we are trying to combat the hard drug problem at whitman.
A Girl • Oct 3, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Wow, so suddenly drugs are accpetable in school, and just a common norm. That shouldn’t be the case. It should be that kids are safe and that there are no drugs. It’s idealistic, but we should strive toward it. These kids need to face the consequences, including becoming public intrest. Sometimes actually facing consequences, rather than hearing about them can scare you straight. We sympathize with them, yes. Wow, no ones life in danger, geez we are accpeting drug abuse, now are’t we. About 295 of teens in treatment are dependent on drugs. What if your friend, who “harmlessly” tried a prescription drug got addicted, faced health problems like liver failure etc., and ended up going through tremendous pressure in treatment. Yeah, you’d feel it was so harmless dwouldn’t you. We need to stope making drug abuse an “okay’ and harmless thing to do, and start making it as legit as heroin or crack. Fact is its still a drug, it’s still bad. Also sending drugs around school isn’t a problem? You re-read that sentence and tell me what’s wrong. Talking to the seniors first may not have helped. Lets face it we only take things seriously when we have a higher authority repremanding us. Wow and so it’s the concerned citizens fault for trying to do something good. Adults tell you to turn these people in woulndn’t you tell them? Or now it’s just we don’t trust adults. They won’t expell them. They only want what’s best for these kids who screwed up.
Anonymous • Oct 3, 2011 at 1:37 pm
You all are unbelievable. You really think that someone’s life will be forever destroyed by selling ADD medication? here are the names of some previous drug dealers that are now millionaire celebrities: Mark Wahlberg, Tim Allen, 50 cent, Bon Jovi.
Yes, it was a mistake to do this, but by saying that it is inappropriate to write an article about this event you’re basically saying that you look down upon the idea of journalism itself. It’s news, and just because it might “hurt someone’s feelings” doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t write it at all. P.S. I don’t really think the families can really do something about this article…1st amendment people!! Maybe if the writer used the actual names (which I know they never would) then the families could call the article off, but this was a next to harmless news report.
Anne H (former Whitman parent) • Sep 30, 2011 at 4:28 pm
This is legitimate news and I believe the B&W was obligated to report it for a variety of reasons: (1) Reporting it might help other kids avoid making the same mistake in the future. Having it in the newspaper where everyone sees and thinks about the consequences before doing something like that themselves is an appropriate role for a newspaper. That’s part of the reason criminal acts are reported in all newspapers. (2) These kids endangered other kids, and that is also in the realm of things that a school newspaper should report. Selling prescription drugs when you are not a pharmacist puts other people’s lives and health at risk. (3) Also what they did is relevant to the school community because it involves cheating. When kids sell and/or take drugs to enhance their performance in school (when they haven’t been prescribed by a doctor), they are giving themselves an unfair advantage over other kids who are not taking these drugs.
In my opinion these are all legitimate reasons to report on the arrests and I think the paper handled it appropriately by saying what happened, without giving the names of the students involved.
Hillbilly Jane • Sep 27, 2011 at 6:49 pm
Y’all really need to learn to spell!
Daniel Fitterman • Sep 27, 2011 at 8:29 am
So according to Ally tabloids never have solid sources, my point is this is unecasarry gosip that is only being spread farther than it would have been by word of mouth, the proof being that I haven’t heard about this outside the black & white. Unless you want to revise the article in order to add some substance that isn’t being spread by word of mouth then your article is just adding to the problem.
Ally • Sep 26, 2011 at 11:52 pm
Tabloid material? This is the most bare-bones account of the incident out there, especially in comparison to the rumors that have flown around school since the incident. In addition to having legitimate sources (unlike a tabloid), this article serves to clarify not identify or speculate.
As a friend of these kids, I sympathize with them. But BW shouldnt make an exception by not reporting on the arrest just because the students were friends of Luke Graves and the community. The fact of the matter is that they broke the law: if they didnt want to become a public interest, they shouldnt have been dabbling in prescription drugs on campus. These arrests reflect a prevalent issue within the Whitman community which the newspaper has a duty to report on. The BW made the right decision by clarifying the rumors and following the code of conduct for all legitmate news sources
Seriously? • Sep 26, 2011 at 11:21 pm
First of all, those of you who are commenting as if you are informed when in fact you are not, need to seriously reconsider where to draw the line and whose business to stay out of. As Luke said, these are kids lives, not the latest gossip.
Second, what they did was wrong but they are teenagers. We make mistakes. And if our community and our school are responding without sympathy, we should have little faith in our society and its ability to handle minor issues.
Lastly, it is the newspapers job to address the issues at our school, but to allow comments and especially when they get out of hand like this, is a huge mistake. to those at the Black and White, do everyone a favor and take these down. For the 2 kids, their families and friends. Its time we let this one go.
Nick • Sep 26, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Best comment by far^^
Hester Prynne • Sep 26, 2011 at 10:37 am
Drugs are bad, no doubt about it. But the fact is, these kids did no harm, put no ones lives in danger, and really made no negative impact what so ever. And as a result they’re facing pretty dire consequences?!? It just seems like to me that a punishment is supposed to be a consequence as a result of somebody causing harm, or creating a problem. These kids didnt create a problem. So why were they punished? Moreover – I agree with Luke, this is tabloid material, it really is. And it doesnt belong in the black and white. Take it down both for the sake of the students, and the reputation of the paper.
iggy • Sep 25, 2011 at 10:44 pm
Anyone arguing that “the concerned citizen” caused the trouble should ask why the laws exist. If we should all ignore this law, then go ahead and criticize the law, not the concerned citizen.
Anyone criticizing the newspaper should realize that the alternative is word of mouth and that’s going to spread pretty quickly too and likely with a lot of misstatements and exaggeration at each step. Better for the newspaper to state the facts definitively. As an aside, the newspaper article could have been a lot clearer! (Example: What’s the point of it being in second period? If you’re not going to identify them, why even say they are male? And why did the school already decide on the punishment if, as Dr. Goodwin says “the investigation is ongoing.” If Goodwin is speaking for the police, that’s a very odd thing for him to do. I pretty surprised that the article could be so confusing.)
Mr.Spock • Sep 24, 2011 at 12:48 pm
So because they got to people in trouble for something illegal they have no soul? You better get your head checked there hombre. Yes MJ, the administration is blowing this a little out of proportion but if they don’t show they’re serious, why would anyone listen to their rules?
Petence mcandrews • Sep 23, 2011 at 11:02 pm
This concerned citizen has no soul, that kook single handily ruined 2 kids lives, I hope ur happy with ur self whoever you are
Tupac (!) • Sep 23, 2011 at 10:11 pm
Yeah and you’re a real prescription drug expert…
Michael Jackson • Sep 23, 2011 at 11:58 am
The administration is blowing this way out of proportion.
Mr.Spock • Sep 23, 2011 at 9:14 am
They’re the ones who screwed up and were caught (whether or not they intended to sell it or even use it) with non-subscription Adderall, which is a felony. Why would the concerned student talk to the two seniors? They would just say they need it for their ADD/ADHD.
Mya Moore • Sep 23, 2011 at 8:10 am
The responsibilty of a newspaper is to report on incidents regarding their readers. Black and White is a school paper that is widely read in the Whitman community. Therefore, because this act occured at Whitman, they have the right to fully report on it because it effects many students. Don’t take your anger out on a paper.
Mya <3
Lisa Leslie • Sep 23, 2011 at 8:03 am
L Nav: “12 years ruined? they’re the ones who turned to drugs. illegal for a reason, im just saying.” agreed that they are illegal, bro, but they shouldn’t have 12 years ruined because a kid is trying to take a medication to help him perform better on a test. that’s what ADD meds are used for, they help you focus. they aren’t some sort of hallucinogen. LISA <33
Tupac (!) • Sep 22, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Fitterman…”a paper is supposed to report on issues that either don’t negatively effect anyone”
What paper are you reading?! The Post breaks stories all the time that draw negative attention to certain individuals..it’s not reserved for the tabloids.
This doesn’t hurt any of the students involved…none of their names were mentioned. And this won’t significantly affect their future. They will go to a good college.
Nobody who deals weed or Adderall is going to be expelled or have their lives ruined because of it.
Christina • Sep 22, 2011 at 2:07 pm
getting caught with weed isn’t a stupid crime that should be punished heavily?? they brought it to school (maybe that’s the stupid part you’re referring to?). This isn’t a tabloid, either. if they only reported things that aren’t “serious” and don’t “negatively effect” people then it wouldn’t be a real paper.
Concerned Student • Sep 22, 2011 at 1:52 pm
What about the students that returned to class? Teachers who had students ecorted out of their class by security now know the reason for their departure. This information should not be put out for everyone to see, its a private matter between the student and the school. lets show a little respect here.
Sophomore Girl • Sep 22, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Yeah…while it’s terrible that they were involved with drugs, it’s also terrible that two lives were just ruined. I think the ‘concerned citizen’ should have talked to the seniors first.
well, drugs are an issue I think should be brought to our attention at least somewhat. I don’t think this should have too much bearing on the seniors, because they’re not mentioned by name, and most of the school won’t know who they are.
I didn’t even know there had been an arrest until I came home from school and saw the article.
L Nav • Sep 22, 2011 at 10:24 am
this doesn’t reveal anything about them, besides the fact that they are male and dealing drugs. if they’re innocent, hopefully the investigation will reveal that; and if they’re not, they deserve it. 12 years ruined? they’re the ones who turned to drugs. illegal for a reason, im just saying.
Daniel Fitterman • Sep 22, 2011 at 8:25 am
No christina a paper is supposed to report on issues that either don’t negatively effect anyone or are serious enough that kids need to know about it. This is more the kind of article a tabloid would produce, these students got caught with weed last time I checked that’s a stupid crime that shouldn’t be punished heavily much less reported on. Much love <3.
Christina • Sep 21, 2011 at 8:57 pm
the Black & White wrote several stories about people who got arrested last year too, and they were “friends of the community” too. This story doesn’t reveal anything about who the people are, either and it isn’t invasive. It sucks that they got caught but isnt this what the paper is supposed to be doing….
Luke Graves • Sep 21, 2011 at 3:55 pm
I’m not discussing the moral question of the situation. Im asking very respectfully that this article be taken down because there doesn’t need to be any more stress in these kids lives. These kids are friends of the community, and many people I know. There doesn’t need to be media coverage of peoples personal lives, especially in High School. Take a step back, put yourself in these kid’s shoes, and sacrifice the need to report for the sake of these kids lives. Also, rose, these ADD medications are legal to take for kids who have a prescription, they’re just illegal for students to have on campus.
Anonymous • Sep 21, 2011 at 3:52 pm
So 2 seniors’ 12 years of education has gone to waste because some “concerned” citizen knew about this, maybe they should question this person since they know so much to the point where 5 other people were talked to too, so specific for just some “concerned” citizen. these students where just being stupid like any high schooler would be, yeah maybe your stupid acts are not as big but everyone has done something stupid in their student life. i think this citizen should have talked to the students and tell them to stop before ruining their lives.
Rose • Sep 21, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Even so the kids what did this need to learn this now. In any point of life, high shcool or not drugs are unacceptable. The law prohibits it, and it’s for your own protection. Drugs are not safe. Bottom line. And about acepption in to college, well theyshould think of all possibilites before doing drugs.
Catie • Sep 21, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Okay, so it wasn’t really smart to have drugs in the school, but now, becuase of this “concerned citizen” the students could end up expelled and/or not accepted into college. Their entire lives could be ruined because they acted stupid in highschool.
fellow Black and White writer • Sep 21, 2011 at 9:13 am
These kids lives are going to be more impacted by their decisions to use drugs than by an article that doesn’t reveal their names or interview their family members.
L Nav • Sep 21, 2011 at 9:09 am
Was this on school grounds? if it was, they deserve it. if it wasn’t, i don’t know how i feel then…
Daniel Fitterman • Sep 21, 2011 at 8:19 am
Gotta love those conerned citizens that make our school a better place by cutting out those scary harmless drugs. -.-
Luke Graves • Sep 20, 2011 at 10:55 pm
This article is really unnecessary; these are kids lives that your discussing. Have some respect for them and their families and leave them alone.
Narc. • Sep 20, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Who was this “concerned citizen” why such a specific group of people?