This year, Holliston High School has had a growth in cases of alcohol abuse at events such as parties and school dances which have resulted in students being suspended and questioned.
The drinking started to spiral out of control at a party on Halloween, which left one student in the emergency room in critical condition. Once the student was out of the emergency room, she was forced to give names of the people who were at the party. Everyone at the party was suspended from sports, even if they were not drinking.
Another incident that occurred more recently was on April 3rd at the freshman and sophomore semi-formal dance. A couple of sophomore students arrived at the dance and were reportedly drunk while others were throwing up in the bathroom. A teacher chaperone saw the students and asked them to leave the dance. The students were given a three day suspension from school as well as sports teams.
Many of the students think that some of the punishments are too extreme. “I think that the school is too harsh, says junior Jenny Lisak, “I understand not being allowed to play sports but I don’t think they needed more than a one day suspension. The three days suspension for semi was too much.”
Since the growth of alcohol use at the high school parents are unsure what punishments should be placed on the students to stop them from drinking. According to a National survey of high school students conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, it would take being arrested for most students to stop drinking. One HHS student, who wishes to remain anonymous, says that ”drinking happens in every high school, so I don’t think it’s a big deal in our school when there are other schools that are much worse”. She goes on to say that she does not think that there is a growth in alcohol abuse at the high school, but instead there are more people getting caught drinking.
Overall, the students believe that the punishments have become too strict and the administration should give less days of suspension. There has also not been a rise of alcohol in the high school. There have just been more people that have been getting caught drinking in public places like dances.