Regarding the recent stories about the August 2011 crash that killed four of eight Mainland Regional High School football players in an SUV:
Often when it comes to tragedy, people have trouble holding themselves to the same standards they expect from others and facing the truth of things they dread to hear.
With the previously withheld toxicological reports saying the driver and two other victims in this single-vehicle crash tested positive for marijuana, the Mainland community and the victims' families could use this to teach the danger of drugs, especially when getting behind the wheel of a car. But it seems like they do not want to use this accident to educate other kids.
This school will put a smashed up car out front for drug/alcohol awareness, but when given the opportunity to use what happened to several of its own, the Mainland community falls short.
Which path would have a better impact on stopping students from driving under the influence? Placing a meaningless car on school ground saying this can happen to you? Or telling students their own friends decided to use drugs while behind the wheel, and these are the consequences you have to pay?
No one ever learns a lesson in life if we keep learning experiences a secret.
TOM BRADY
Williamstown
