i dont think it is the school's fault. however, i do think the guidance counselor should have alerted the parents ust for the betterment of the child. They should not be sued because they didnt. the school is not liable for their son's already drug addiction and i am sorry but, as parents we have to be responsible for our kids. guess what - if that means you have to spy, snoop, follow, question, or whatever on your child, then guesswhat, you have to do it. it is the parent's responsibility to know what is going on with his or her child.. .and yeah holtonb is not a perfect world, but we need to do better as parents and as a community with raising these kids.. speak up,,,, say something if you know something...and employers need to be involved with this as well and allow parents time to handle these matters. the county should not be sued because they are not to blame for the addiction or the suicide.. most likely the child would have tried it anyway becasue the problem had already existed... teachers... get involved and CARE.. Parents,,, keep up with your child cause the drug problem has probably been festering and YOU didnt notice your child changing right before your eyes.. sue yourself!

How much of this story is true is questionable. MCPS is very good at hiding many problems that occur in the schools and this includes crime, drugs, gang violence and other illegal occurances, but we do not hear about them. They have a good system for pushing problems out of the view of the public. If more parents were better educated about the rights of the student and parent, than the school system would be forced to listen and correct manner of their band-aid policies. To those who read this article, you have no idea how many more like this example exist. The MCPS is very good at telling you what you want to hear and read, but they are pros at covering up many of the problems in the system. One just got out.

Bull and more bull - this is all about money and not taking responsibility for your own actions. Did they live in different dwellings? Did the parents never see him? Shame on them - the so called parents. Sick, sick, sue, sue $$$$$$$$$.

Sad, complete breakdown of the system. The heath teacher did the correct and legal thing - refer to counselor or school clinic nurse. The counselor is to blame for not bringing this issue to the parent's attention. The parents are to blame for not keeping tabs on their kid. DON'T have kids if you can't raise them.

to who and poo .. well .. maybe mom and dad work two jobs .. maybe there's a lot of other reasons .. but ..if you actually read the article .. the kid went to the nurse and sed he had a drug problem and he was sent to a school counselor .. who told the mother .. on her questioning his behavior .. that NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH HIM !!!!! you might remember that not everyone in the world is blessed with brilliant thinking about family matters .. case in point .. 50% of all marriages end in divorce ..y

you are right on the nail pepperpoo!

the parents have to take blame for this also. why? how could they not tell this kid was spaced out on pot, crystal meth and "other drugs" I am sorry but it does not take a rocket scientist to see this kid was on drugs. where was mommy and daddy after and before school? was this kid home or out on the streets. it is so easy to place blame on others. but these parents have to take the blame for not teaching this kid right, not knowing where he was, and who he was with and where did he get all that money to buy those drugs?????

Blame privacy rights and giving kids rights. Girls can get an abortion and not have to tell the parents. That is so wrong and you can thank liberals and the ACLU for it.