"The parents feel that they are being responsible by teaching their children how to safely handle a gun, but in the end it turns out bad[ly] because it does not occur to them that when the child runs into dif- ficulty, he will remember where that weapon is." Eric Bachmann, Pioneer High School, San Jose, California
"If teenagers could not use guns, they would find something, possibly more dangerous, to use." Shane Morris, Camden High, Camden, Tennessee
*Chris (below) sees technology as a probable answer:
"With technology increasing it is now possible to make laser-guns that can be set to stun people. These types of weapons used to only be in Star Wars movies, but now they are a technological [reality]. There would be no more need for guns that kill or severely wound their victims when they could just be stunned. People could still protect their homes, and there would not be any more accidental deaths or murders. Once the technology is perfected then these 'stun guns' can take the role of the safe weapon of the future and make guns, a well as violent crimes, obsolete." Chris Olsen, DeForest High School, DeForest, Wisconsin
*Leah, Cari and Beth offer more immediate solutions (below):
"I feel that when the child starts to ask questions because he sees guns on television or [elsewhere], it is time to talk. The parents who fail to keep guns out of children's reach should be punished. An ordinance should be passed which would force gun owners to use trigger locks, store weapons behind locked doors or keep them dismantled when not in use." Leah Stetz, Barnesville High School, Barnesville, Minnesota"Parents who feel the need for guns should have to take classes that provide them with the correct handling of guns and how to properly store them. Also in the classes should be the stories of how bad guns are and how they hurt more than they protect. Self defense classes need to be promoted more so that people will feel secure defending themselves rather than having a gun do it for them. Maybe people should look into security systems and have a little more faith in the local police rather than try to be heroes." Cari Welch, Richmond High School, Richmond, Illinois"Schools could help stop the violence and drug dealing in school by random locker checks and if necessary the use of a metal detector to stop the kids from carrying guns and knives in school." Beth Civitares, Antietam High School, Reading, PennsylvaniaA nearby school district is paying $300,000 annually to ensure the safety of its staff and students. Thirty years ago most of that money would have gone for books and other supplies. More schools are spending money on safety and less on educational materials. In our area , Salinas, California has had police officers on campuses since 1978 but it is a relatively new experience for other coastal cities. Monterey will have a police officer on it's campuses starting in the fall of 1994.A Cure For Alcohol And Drug Abuse "As a teenager, my responsibilities on the farm range from feeding elk and cattle to cleaning and cooking for my family, friends, and guests at our bed and breakfast. Drugs and alcohol are really the last things on my mind. Wouldn't it be nice if every teenager could grow up on a busy farm, with a wholesome atmosphere and caring family?" Nicole McConnell, Prairie High School, New Raymer, Colorado"I believe there is a solution to every problem, and I have a solution for drunk driving. It's not fancy and complicated; since I've never been to law school. But I do know that because you move to another state, you shouldn't have your driving record erased. Your address might change but you as a person do not. A person's driving record should be considered nation wide. First time offenders should get their licenses taken away for five years; second time offenders for life. If this law was in effect now more than half of all drunk driving incidents would never have existed. Now imagine that. The answer is so simple, yet our government has done nothing."Jennifer Pilarczyk, Falls City High School, Falls City, Texas"I believe that any time anyone is caught dealing drugs, they should be given a lethal overdose of whatever drug they were selling. This would definitely reduce the number of drug dealers and, while it seems a little harsh, harsh measures are needed to stop the crimes." Leah Fuller Bates, Blue Ridge High , Blue Ridge, TexasMore than "a little harsh", Leah. But then Sherri (below) isn't playing "softball" either:"Drunk drivers are let off way too easily in our society. If they want to drink, let them learn to drink responsibly. If they cannot learn responsible drinking, let them pay the consequences. Anyone pulled over and found to have a blood alcohol level of illegal limits or their driving is impaired, their license should be revoked on the spot. They must also attend mandatory Alcoholics Anonymous classes. Ð If a drunk driver seriously injures someone, they should receive a prison sentence of no less than five years. While in prison, they should receive counseling similar to that of the alcoholics anonymous program. If a drunk driver kills someoneÐthey should receive the death penalty. Their mistake took a life; in this world there is no room for those types of mistakes. The death penalty seems very harsh and maybe too much of a punishment, but that just might be what it takes to stop the [loss of life] caused by drunk driving." Sherri Koltes, DeForest High School, DeForest, Wisconsin"I think that when someone under the legal drinking age gets arrested for an alcohol related incident, they should be forced to contact their parents. Then these teenagers should be forced by law to attend classes on underage drinking and driving. Once the kids do this, they may realize that it is not worth being sent to lectures for acting irresponsibly." Julie Thomas, Lexington High , IllinoisThose who have lectures planned for the future may do well to highlight Julie's excerpt (above) and consult it frequently."Schools should [offer] training for the resistance of drugs, and maybe even involve the parents in the classroom discussions. The use of local police is a large plus, too.Ð If the people who take drugs could realize what drugs are doing to them mentally and physically, they might reconsider their actions .... rehabilitation centers help drug abusers and troubled people to get back on their feet and return to society soberly. Society does not feel it is right what these people did, but to reduce unemployment, crime, and violence they feel they should help those people. Also, society cares for those people and they just want to lend a helping hand." Shonny Waters, Froid High School, Froid, Montana"The solution I will present for this essay is on the topic of DUI and possession convictions. First of all, I believe that people should be more responsible and not drink and drive, but when they do, law enforcement needs to be responsible about arrest and conviction efforts. In order for our system to run smoothly, we need everyone to take some responsibility for what he or she does. We need to make it a little easier for the DUI and possessions convictions to take place so the people won't get away. I suggest we put a breathalyzer in every squad car or make sure that the offenders are brought back to the station for a test and that the officers confiscate all of the alcohol all of the time. With these improvements I believe people will accept more responsibility and things like the fight against crime will improve. The responsibility can not just lie on the officer; it must also take place in the courts. The penalties must be upheld and enforced. Currently the penalty for a first time offender for a possession is a fifty dollar fine and six months probation. I believe the fine should be raised to one hundred dollars and at least twelve months probation. This penalty is not extremely severe but I think it would make people think before they do something. With all of the systems working together, we could lower drunk driving and increase convictions. In conclusion I believe that if all people take up just a little more responsibility in their everyday life, the world would run a lot smoother. We can't just sit back and watch the world go by, while we do nothing." Adam Fordyce, Froid High School, Froid ,MontanaAlthough they live in different states, Jessica Moen and Holly White came up with the same idea (below):"Ð put a taxi service at all bars. Taxi drivers always are waiting to drive the customers home. The cost for the taxi drivers can be made up by raising the prices of beer and liquor. This will make the roads safer and the higher prices may keep the consumption level down." Jessica Moen, DeForest High School, DeForest, Wisconsin"I also think that bars and clubs should take on some of the responsibility. They supply the alcohol and make money doing so. Why can't they help out a little? They could hire a person to be a full time designated driver if someone is to intoxicated to drive home this person will make sure they arrive home safely, free of charge." Holly R. White, Salem High School, Salem, Missourite, Salem High School, Salem, Missouri