Teens agree on pot legalization, not bullying

By Camille Brown

Monday, Dec. 28, 2015 | 2 a.m.

What’s on our teenagers’ minds? In its 59th year, the Las Vegas Sun Youth Forum is intended to answer just that question. The annual gathering, which this year attracted about 1,000 students, provided an opportunity for public high school juniors and seniors to discuss issues of the day in groups of 40 or so students and was moderated by a community leader. Each group selected one of its participants to reflect on the experience. This column is written by Camille Brown, a senior at Desert Oasis High School. Her group’s topic was “Law and Crime.” Publisher and Editor Brian Greenspun is turning over his “Where I Stand” column to these young adults, who have something to say.

In November, high schools from around the Clark County School District sent student delegates to Sun Youth Forum to discuss issues that our youth, as well as our society, face. From topics around the world to topics relevant to Nevada, many things were discussed. In room N220, matters involving crime and law led to productive discourse and possible solutions.

The first topic that generated a passionate consensus was the legalization of marijuana sales and possession in Nevada. There were differing opinions on the scope of the legality, but all came to a consensus that the consumption of marijuana should be within the bounds of the law. One major topic within this was the cost of fighting this drug. With expenses in the billions of dollars, the criminal justice system as well as the rest of the country has only suffered.

The United States has spent an estimated $7.6 billion on prosecuting marijuana-related crimes as of 2005. That is about $10,400 per arrest. It was agreed that marijuana should be regulated and prohibition should be eradicated. By regulating instead of prohibiting, this psychoactive drug could be taxed and prove to be profitable to this society.

Some may correctly say that marijuana’s regulation will be costly. However, the cost of regulation would be significantly less than the cost of prohibition. Even now, prohibition is incredibly unsuccessful, and doing away with it would prove to be to society’s benefit. With savings and profits on the tax of this drug in the billions of dollars, think of what could be gained. Money could be used to fund better schools as well as a brighter future for the youth of America who so desperately need it.

The second subject of discussion was bullying. Some called bullies criminals and cried for justice, while others said to look at bullies with more compassion and to get to the roots of their causes. Even more said that as a society, we shouldn’t just prevent bullying, but should give our youth the skill sets and awareness needed to handle such opposition.

A proposed solution was offering classes to parents of children and teens accused of bullying. This would teach parents how to handle the situation their child is in and how they can improve the behavior of their child. Hand in hand with this is the training on the other end — with the parents of the bullied. This would teach parents how to help their child overcome any lasting trauma caused by bullying.

Along with these solutions, it was argued that not only should prevention and awareness campaigns be conducted, but also self-awareness campaigns. Teach our children starting in elementary school so they know they are worth more than the words of a bully. Educate them on the causes of this behavior so they understand that what has happened, is happening or may happen is not their fault.

By also beginning a “see something, say something” campaign to discourage bullying, a community of openness and mutual understanding can be achieved. Though bullying may never be eradicated, it is our duty to society to battle this plague on all fronts and to hope for a better tomorrow.