My name is Amanda Kuker and I am a sophomore at Conifer High School. Over the last few days I realize that there has been a lot of controversy over the Conifer High School yearbook and the subjects included in our yearbook.

Before I go any farther I would like to clarify that I have never used marijuana and do not plan to, in fact I think that people that use marijuana just think they are "cool" and use it for solely that purpose. I ask that you read what I have to say with respect and consider my opinion with an open mind. On that note I have several things to say about the drug use publicized in our yearbook.

First, I don't understand why it is considered inappropriate to show that teenagers do in fact use drugs. I am not an expert, but as far as I know media such as the newspaper and news channels are allowed to report on issues such as drug use, so why is it inappropriate for students to practice reporting these same issues. In addition, the yearbook has over 200 pages full of everything and anything you can imagine. I don't believe thatthree pages in the yearbook that have questionable content should be considered "highlighting the negative activities in our school."

Second, all the students in our school are aware that there are kids who smoke pot. The yearbook wasn't a "rude awakening" and by covering up the pages we are not going to suddenly think that people don't smoke pot. I realize the parents concerns for their children but hiding them from reality is not going to help them in any way. Some parents may say that the yearbook will influence their children to experiment with drugs. These parents should not be concerned about what the yearbook says, but how they raised their children. If a yearbook page will influence their child to use drugs then I think something is seriously wrong with their parenting style.

Parents should be able to trust their kids to know what is right and what is wrong and not worry and be suspicious that a few words in a yearbook will ruin their kids for life. In addition, I think that parents don't want to admit that their kids are exposed to drugs everyday. While all the students know it is happening I think that parents want to think that we are still little kids and we can't get into any trouble. The teenage years are a time of change and independence. Parents don't want to let go of their children and have a hard time dealing with their new found independence. I think that this attack on the yearbook is just an attempt to control what little of our lives they still can. I understand that our parents want to protect us butthree pages in a yearbook are not going to significantly affect our lives.

I do not agree that Mrs. McTague should be fired or punished in anyway. The majority of the yearbook is amazing and without flaw so why should 3 pages affect her career as a teacher. If anything, I think that she should be thanked. By allowing these pages in the yearbook she has revealed the fact that drug use is a problem in high school. And not only at conifer high, but high schools everywhere. Maybe the issue of drug use was not as widely known, or people tried to deny that it was really happening as often as it is. The truth is, it is happening, and it happens a lot. Mrs. McTague should not be fired for exposing that some kids smoke pot.

The state should realize that drug use is an issue and should take action and do something about it. What are they doing right now? From what I see, they are publicizing the fact that there is questionable content in a yearbook and considering firing a teacher. How will that help to fix the real problem?

The real problem here is not a few pages in a yearbook; it is that teenagers are getting involved in drugs. I think that actions should be refocused to regulating drug use in teenagers rather than changing pages in a yearbook.

Ask yourself this, would you rather have a clean yearbook and not know what goes on in your kid's life or have the truth be told and take action against drug use?

Amanda Kuker