Editor, The News:
Re: Our youth are lost, misguided (Letters, Feb. 1).
Marianna Nagy, I think you should do a little more research before you go bashing Westview secondary.
I understand that ecstasy is a problem in Maple Ridge, in general. I’ve worked in all the high schools in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows and, I have to say, they all have the same issues with drugs.
When you said, “There are hundreds of kids who attend Westview who do not care about school, and prefer drinking and doing drugs to furthering their education,” it’s just not true. I’m sorry to say, but this is in all high schools.
I’m sorry you had such a bad experience at Westview, and it sounds like you fell through the cracks and got involved with the wrong crowd.
My son and his friends attend Westview and they’re really good kids. They’re honor-roll students, athletes, they don’t drink or do drugs, they all want to go UBC for engineering. But, most importantly, they have good values, and family beliefs.
It all comes down to parenting and the belief system that starts at home.
If kids have no boundaries or guidance at home, it won’t matter if they go to private or public school. It won’t take them long to find the drugs and the wrong crowds, no matter what school they attend.
I grew up in Burnaby in a very tight-knit, family community with lots of culture, and so much for kids to do and to get involved in.
The problem I see in Maple Ridge is how many broken families live here, and parents who don’t even know what their kids are doing after school, or for that matter, at any time of day. I see kids as young as 12 walking the streets at 11 p.m. Where are their parents? Drinking, perhaps?
I am tired of hearing the excuse that there are a lot of low-income families in Maple Ridge. It doesn’t matter how much money you have to discipline, love and to respect your child.
I feel sorry for the kids who have to turn to drugs because they’re not getting what they truly need at home.
It’s just a viscous circle and it’s really sad because the help and resources are out there for those who seek them.
Gloria Taylor
Maple Ridge