Letter:  Area Youth Offended by 420 Activities

Published: Sunday, April 26, 2009
The Saratogian

We are the Youth Empowerment Committee, a youth-driven group comprised of high school students from Saratoga Springs who are striving to spread awareness about the dangers of risky behaviors. We are writing in response to the “Pot Party at Skidmore” article in the April 21 issue of The Saratogian newspaper.

As youth residing in the Saratoga community, we are disappointed in the actions of the college students who chose to take part in this type of risky behavior. We are embarrassed that this portrays marijuana as an acceptable or even expected behavior, especially when prospective students were touring the campus. Even we know this is absolutely inappropriate for an academic setting.

We are particularly concerned about the image this sends to our younger generation. It is hard enough to resist social pressures and be a student without having risky, illegal behaviors flaunted so publicly — and without any consequences.

You are making our mission of sending a “no use” message that much harder.

The Saratoga Youth Empowerment Committee