Posted by justice4all75 (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 2:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

the boy from opp selling pills at the high school the opp paper reported there was four people arrested andalusia star reported only one; was there more arrested here, how do we know we are getting the whole story?

Posted by justthefacts76 (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 2:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i saw the same thing in opp paper and still not sure what the deal is there maybe someone can clue us in

Posted by bamafootball (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 7:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My personal opinion is, I think it's going a little overboard when you go out looking for alchohol and tobacco in a students car for Pete's sake. I could understand drugs, guns, explosives, etc. But this, come one. Just my opinion.

Posted by Ineedtobeheard (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's just my opinion, but my vehicle belongs to ME, not the school, whether I choose to drive it or not. What is in MY car belongs to ME, not the school, so what gives them the right to search MY car and send me to jail for something that is in MY car. Things have gotten so out of hand with this crap. I don't agree with alcohol being at school, but my goodness, he wasn't sitting in the car drinking it, now was he? Could it have been left in there from the weekend, maybe a friend or parent or someone else left it in there, maybe he didn't know it was in the vehicle.....lighten up ABC and schools, yall are taking this a bit too far! When I was in school, we had "smoking" permits, so tobacco wasn't banned in the schools then, and I think it's wrong to do it now, and to arrest someone for having cigarettes in their vehicle is ludicrous! I guarantee you, you will find cigarettes in my vehicles, because I am a smoker....but that's my business, not ABCs or the schools...they are not buying it, so its none of their business.

I think they should concentrate their efforts more on teaching students life's lessons and studies, not sneaking in the school grounds with freakin dogs and searching vehicles! That just is so wrong! A vehicle is a person's private property, the school does not own it just because it's parked on school property, which by the way, the student has to pay for a permit to even park there! That's stupid.....my children had to buy permits to be able to park on school grounds, and that really didn't set well with me, but as most parents do, we had to adhere to the grand schools rules, but when I was in school, few students drove, but the ones that did were allowed to park, free of charge! And no dogs were brought in to search the freakin cars.

If they suspect drugs, guns, explosives, BY ALL MEANS, check it out, but stop with the childish nonsense....just wanting to make headlines in the paper! Jeez!

Though I realize times have changed, I just don't believe they have changed in the sense that we must constantly be on our guard that someone is allowed to misuse authority and abuse our privileges.....that is all!

Posted by thugg4life (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Corn! Corn! for old Andy High,
You bring the whiskey, I’ll bring the rye!
Send those juniors out for gin,
Don’t let a sober (your grade level or Bulldog) in!
We stagger on but we never fall,
We sober up on wood alcohol,
When we’re through we’ll BURN THE SCHOOL!
For the glory of AHS!
We’re the Best!

Posted by hammer1 (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Title 16-1-10 { Any person , firm, corporation, or association that knowingly sells, gives or dispenses any alcoholic beverage to any school student under the age of 18 years, or keeps or has in possession any alcoholic beverage in or on the campus or premises of any school building of any public secondary or grade school os guilty of a felony and upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in the state penitentiary for a period of from one to three years}

This is one to discuss.

Posted by alabamachris (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ineedtobeheard, you are right it is your car but, that does not mean you get to drive your car as fast as you want, because it is your car. Nor does it mean you can park your car any where you want. If you have illegal drugs in your car and the police find them during a traffic stop, it may be your car but you are still guilty of possessing narcotics. It doesn't matter that they were there since the weekend, belonged to some one else or whatever. Why, since it is the law as you see in hammer1's post, do you seem to NOT want the kids today to follow the law. You say the schools should concentrate on teaching life's lessons, so I assume you think high school kids should be allowed to drive around with alcohol in their cars. And I guess breaking the law is also OK and one of life's lessons the schools should be instilling in the kids today.

Posted by realist (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"I think they should concentrate their efforts more on teaching students life's lessons and studies, not sneaking in the school grounds with freakin dogs and searching vehicles! "

It's not the job of law enforcement to teach, but to, you know, enforce the law. I doubt they were sneaking around either; I've seen officers of the law doing the same thing at other schools and they were very openly walking around with the dog, not hiding or skulking at all.

"Though I realize times have changed, I just don't believe they have changed in the sense that we must constantly be on our guard that someone is allowed to misuse authority and abuse our privileges.....that is all!"

How is it misusing authority to search for illegal substances at school? It's no secret you are not allowed to have drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or guns at school. If parents have decided to allow their teens to possess these things, that's their prerogative in their own home (I doubt that's the case though, he was probably hiding it from his folks). When the child then takes those things to school and potentially endangers others, then it becomes everyone's problem, especially that of parents who have children in school.

Granted, the young man wasn't misusing alcohol at the time, but the law is the law and when you break it you face the consequences.

I for one certainly understand this law and agree with it. I wouldn't want my child exposed to alcohol at school. It's so easy to see how two kids could be talking in the parking lot, one shows the other the bottle and then after school they go somewhere to drink it then try to drive home drunk and a tragedy occurs. Maybe he would have used that alcohol responsibly at a later time or maybe he wouldn't have. I'd rather not find out and I'd rather not have my child potentially involved.

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have always said the ABC agency is a waste of taxpayers dollars.I don't want my tax dollars going to some group that chases teenyboppers around on the weekends.Hell in this case,this guy can vote,move out on his own without his parents permission,go join the military and get shot at.Oh, but lets charge him with a felony for alcohol lol,what a joke.

Posted by madashell (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It is the job of law enforcement to enforce the law no matter what they law is or who is breaking it.It is also the job of law enforcement to conduct themselves professionally. The reports on that day of the profain language used by law enforcement officials while they were in the company of students as well as when they thought no one was listening is certainly unprofessional. This seems to be epidemic among law enforcement officers, along with their idea that they are above the law that they are hired by the citizens to enforce, but that another story.
Instead of the emphasis being on the school as the Star News made it or even on the offender, maybe some one should be questioning how a minor (as far as alcohol is concerned) came into possession of it. Who bought it, who sold it. From my perspective these questions are certainly more important than the fact that it was at school.

Posted by Patrick (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The wealth protects the wealth. This is one less poor voter for the wealthy to worry with. Everything except white collar crimes are fellonies. I don't know any of the parties involved. but do know if his parents had money this wouldn't be in the paper. I wonder how many of the officers, school officials or the judges involved can say they never had alcohol as teenages?

Oh well, just another high school drop out. 1 or 4 in Opp and 1 in Florala.

Posted by alabamachris (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

lookeyhere I guess you would rather your tax dollars go to alcohol rehab centers and emergency wards so they can spend it repairing the lives that are ruined by alcohol and teenage drivers. If you had bothered to read the article before making up your mind on the matter you would have found out that the alcohol was found in his car while parked on school property, not while he was out driving around. But, I guess it is fine with you that the "teenyboppers" be out driving around with alcohol in their cars. Like there are not enough of our youth being killed on the highways with cell-phone use/abuse and lack of driver attention, now lets throw in alcohol even more then it is today.

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No I would rather my tax dollars go to fighting meth or cocaine or something like that.I did read the article and everyone knows the ABC have been chasing teenyboppers for years.

Posted by hiflyin (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok, the ABC board has to justfie thier job or they will be layed off because there are to many as it is, but if you think your rights are being infringed on now just wait untill you file your 2009 IRS tax return. The senate in Feb. 2009 slipped thru a bill ....SB-2099 that requires you to list all guns you HAVE OR OWN. You will have to be finger printed,and a $50 fee will be charged for each gun you own....don't believe me? go to the senate homepage you can find it by doing a search by the bill # SB-2009. all of us need to be calling our congressman, senators.......OH! Yes and don't forgert to vote for Pres. Obooma ( hope i spelled that right) People this is not a joke we are loosing all of our right's in this country and the olny thing i can say is you ain't seen nothing yet.

Posted by noonecares (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Schools and police have been doing this for years. They take the dogs through the hallways and let them sniff lockers...then the kids started hiding their dope in cars and trucks...so the cops let the dogs sniff the parking lot now looking for dope and booze. They do it all in the name of keeping illegal substances off of school property...as it should. Boohoo...he got caught and is in trouble....he knew the rules before school started, there was no doubt he would get in trouble if he got caught. I have no pity. If my son does it he will not hear me bellyache about the police...he will take his punishment and move on with life.

As far as it being MY CAR and private property....if you drive through roadblock and a dog smells dope in your vehicle the police have the right to search....just the way it is and has been for a long time...no surprise.

And yes the ABC does bust teen party drinkers...I have no problem with them enforcing the law. I also have no problem with them getting underage drinkers BEFORE they get behind the wheel to go home.

A big problem with our country is people always trying to make excuses for the guilty. You don't have to like or agree with the laws we live by, but you must abide or be able to deal with the consequences.

I do agree that there is not a lot of equity in the legal age at 18....I feel if you can die for your country you can have a beer.

Posted by bamagirl07 (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with madashell with the more important issue being WHO got it for him. Or who SOLD it to him. More than likely someone bought it for him. And it may have been someone else's booze like someone else stated, BUT, that isn't the point. Fact is, when someone gets busted with drugs in the vehicle, EVERYONE is arrested! Doesn't matter who it belongs to OR whose car it is! Point is, he shouldn't have had alcohol anyway, he is underage...shouldn't have had it there at school and shouldn't have had it to begin with. What's so sad is that a lot of these kids don't realize what they are doing, in my opinion. Their brains haven't even fully developed yet! Maybe the law should reset the age to get a driver's license to like 18.

Posted by whataload (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Ok, the ABC board has to justfie thier job or they will be layed off because there are to many as it is, but if you think your rights are being infringed on now just wait untill you file your 2009 IRS tax return. The senate in Feb. 2009 slipped thru a bill ....SB-2099 that requires you to list all guns you HAVE OR OWN. You will have to be finger printed,and a $50 fee will be charged for each gun you own....don't believe me? go to the senate homepage you can find it by doing a search by the bill # SB-2009. all of us need to be calling our congressman, senators.......OH! Yes and don't forgert to vote for Pres. Obooma ( hope i spelled that right) People this is not a joke we are loosing all of our right's in this country and the olny thing i can say is you ain't seen nothing yet."

Yout right on there buddy: Think more. Speak less.

This is directly from the NRA.

Clearing Up the Rumors: The Truth About The “Gun Tax Bill”

Friday, May 29, 2009

In the last few weeks, NRA-ILA has received hundreds of e-mails warning us about “SB-2099,” a bill that would supposedly require you to report all your guns on your income tax return every April 15.

Like many rumors, there’s just a grain of truth to this one. Someone’s recycling an old alert, which wasn’t even very accurate when it was new.

There actually was a U.S. Senate bill with that number that would have taxed handguns—nine years ago. It was introduced by anti-gun Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and it would have included handguns under the National Firearms Act’s tax and registration scheme. This has nothing to do with anyone’s Form 1040, of course.

Fortunately, S. 2099 disappeared without any action by the Senate, back when Bill Clinton was still in the White House. We reported about it back then, just as we report about new anti-gun bills every week. Now, it’s time for gun owners to drop this old distraction and focus on the real threats at hand.

Posted by sweetpea09 (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 6:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OMG... has everyone forgotten what they did as teeneagers? So the kid had some margaritas left over from the weekend in his car. Its not like he's trafficing heroin or something. I don't understand why this even made the newspaper. Is the Andalusia Star this hard up for news? I graduated from AHS in 1995 and there were kids drinking on campus during the school day all four years i attended. At least his was in his car.

Thugg4life.... you brought back good memories with our school chant!!

Posted by justhinkin (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Got a question for you bama girl.. if there brains have not developed yet than how is that they can join the milatary and carry a gun?

Posted by bamagirl07 (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 7:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Justhinking...good question! Just stating the facts. It's a scientific fact that people's brains are not FULLY developed until the mid 20s (and if I am wrong I wasted thousands of dollars in college). It just happens to be that the law recognizes one to be an "adult" and can go into the military at age 18. I don't think an 18 year old should be allowed to enter the military OR carry a gun. Or even be considered an adult. Still a "teen".

Posted by itsjustmyopinion (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree ths 18 year old student should have to pay for his mistakes,but come on folks for this boy to be charged with a felony...let's get real supend him from school if you must or make him do a whole bunch of community service, or even have his parents also do community service, but don't charge him with a felony.This is a young boys life...if he is caught again then by all means charge him with a felony.
Think about it just one stupid teenage act will follow him the reat of his life..but so will this news story.

Posted by WAtidefan (anonymous) on October 7, 2009 at 11:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bamagirl07 is correct. In fact, during adolescence, the prefrontal cortex (decision making part of the brain) actually gets smaller b/c the brain is pruning and getting rid of redundant connections. The quick answer is that 18 year olds can join the military b/c someone (the law) decided that they are old and mature enough. If you are really interested, there is tons of research on the teen brain. A great book on brain science in general is Brain Rules by Dr. John Medina. Fascinating reading.

Posted by dusty18 (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 6:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

REF; ineedtobeheard- i read your comments and agree with most. I am against goverment involvement. But when that car goes to a public school, a goverment bldg. It is no longer just your car. Its a shame to say but the way things are today with car bombs,school shootings and drug dealing. I am glad these vehicles are being checked. He knew the rules. He had a brain fart. Should he be charged with a felony? NO. His actions did not harm anyone.

Posted by jujaphillips (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 7:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I remember the chorus, "Corn, Corn," that we used to sing at AHS. That is until Mr. James A. Wilson thought we should not. We need to remember that some adult made the corn whiskey and passed it on to the kids of the day. Perhaps if we had learned that lesson in 1968 and sooner we would not have the problems we had today. And yes, I did sing the song, proudly, but I did not do alchohol or any other drugs.

Posted by Ineedtobeheard (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I totally agree with most of the comments, though I still think it is unfair to charge this teen with a felony....and as far as a traffic stop and being arrested if drugs/alchol, etc., is found....THIS WAS NOT A TRAFFIC STOP....it was in my opinion,an illegal search of a vehicle. I, just like all of you, have my opinions, and it really matters not to me whether we all agree or not.....all of the adults now, if you remember back to your teen years, were gulity of some crime or another...so it's part of growing up....and I don't personally know or otherwise, the parties involved here...I just still stand by my original statement that it is wrong to search vehicles like that....and I do abide by the laws...jeez, everyone has been guilty of speeding....anyways...nuff said...out a here! Oh yea, the statements about 18 year olds can fight for mine and your country, put his/her life on the line, but can't legally drink a beer or smoke a cigarette, is LUDICROUS! Teenages SHOULD NOT be allowed to join the military until their brains have fully developed!

Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I may be misinformed but I believe a student has to purchase a permit to park on school property. A part of this transaction includes the student reading and signing a form outlining the rules and regulations for this privilege. The student by signing gives the authorities the right to search and seizure of any vehicle they drive onto school property.Along with actions come consequences.

Posted by noonecares (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Parking on school property is a privilege and doing so also gives the right to search vehicles parked on the school's property when there is reasonable suspicion. This also applies to guns and weapons in vehicles. If the student doesn't like it then they can catch a ride to school or park off school property and walk. There is no room to wiggle here. If you are parked at an airport and a drug dog or a bomb dog alerts authorities to a car, the authorities are then allowed to search. The student in question here will plead youthful offender and get a slap on the wrist and hopefully learn to keep his booze somewhere off school property.

Posted by supprtVets (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Although I don't beleive that this particular 'felony' was the intentions of the lawmakers when the law was passsed, or was the 'spirit' intended when the law was passed, but for right now, until a good attorney gets a hold of it, it is the law, maybe, depending on the search and seizures, state and federal laws. I've seen good ballgames won in the last four seconds.....and me and the good ABC officers Dad used to do the same thing in high school. Perhaps this arrest could have occurred at any high school in the county 1000's of times in the past 20 years, why now? Why Florala?

Posted by rlb1940 (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

In reading the above stories I couldn't help but think of my high school days as I'm sure many of you can relate to some adventurous weekend of your own during your teen years. I am one of the 'old school' that still exist, that does not put a margarita in the same category as pills and dope. As having put most of my years here on earth behind me now and I look back at being 'out' of high school over 40 years, the kids that did party a little, drink a little booze growing up, and had friends, seemed on an average to do a lot better in the real world. They were the ones that came back to high school reunions (traveled great distances), had the law degrees, engineering, succesful careeers, now have Facebook pages with beautiful beach wedding pics of their family. This Florala High School is on the route to Florida's beaches in the next county just 40 miles away from where it is common place for teenagers around 18 and up to do just that, get a margarita and have fun while they are still young before they get caught in the trap of house payments, bills, insurance, that will last for the rest of their lives and turn into their parents. There is a muti-billion dollar 'resort' vacation life just south of Florala down at Florida beaches that may have influenced this young man, ....and many many others, including me.

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I can see it now,just picture the scene,ABC agents dressed in full riot gear storm the school grounds.There adrenalin is pumping, and they are fired up because they just listened to the theme song of the tv show COPS.The Sherriff is flying overhead in his cropduster in case the criminal makes a run for it.The evidence is found and the dangerous felon is arrested.Alot of high fives and pat on the back.Good job guys.

Posted by realist (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"I can see it now,just picture the scene,ABC agents dressed in full riot gear storm the school grounds.There adrenalin is pumping, and they are fired up because they just listened to the theme song of the tv show COPS.The Sherriff is flying overhead in his cropduster in case the criminal makes a run for it.The evidence is found and the dangerous felon is arrested.Alot of high fives and pat on the back.Good job guys."

You're quite good at hyperbole. If you want your kids exposed to drugs and alcohol at school then move to California or New York. I'm quite happy the schools around here are free of that type of thing, which is one of the main reasons I moved back here.

Posted by spifsmom (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

realist: I'm sorry to be the one to burst your bubble, but the kids are exposed to drugs and alcohol at school here as well. Maybe there is more in other places because there are more people, but the junk is everywhere.

Posted by realist (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't have a bubble to burst, spifsmom. I know my child will be exposed to those things here, but I'm quite sure it's much less prevalent here than in NYC or LA, both places from which I considered job offers. It's a lot easier for the school officials in places like Florala and Pleasant Home to keep an eye on 500 students vs. 5,000. I also feel there's much less pressure to do things like that here because many people have strong faith that they impart to their children, which makes it easier for them to say no to such temptations.

I don't have any sort of illusion that kids here aren't exposed to drugs. I know they are, but from my own experiences both here and in large cities I know kids here have to deal with it much less frequently and those who do it are more likely to be caught. And chances are the parents here are going to make sure it doesn't happen again when a kid is caught. I'd much rather raise children here than any big city.

Posted by outlaw11 (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 5:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have read each and every one of these comments, minus none, word for word, and now let me present you some realization: when Colombine happened, our laws had to change, and after the following two, they had to be adjusted to protect the schools/students/teachers...the Govt put into place certain safe-guards (i.e., unannounced inspections on class-rooms, lockers, autos, personnel, etc.), and no-one argued with it. Then after 9/11, the same was inacted by the passing of the Patriot Act, which placed all and everything not concidered 'normal' under the scrunity of the US Govt, without question. Now, some of you have a problem with it...DON'T...he came to school with booze on his breath and the booze was evident for the law to find...his parents should be questioned about this...I ran govt jobs in Fl, Al, Ms, Va, NC, and on all these installations, the dogs came thru our parking lots at least 3 times a week without notice...I lost 2 men to this...this type of investigation is covered by a law...if you don't like it, change it...

Posted by thugg4life (anonymous) on October 9, 2009 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I knew it was Bush's fault!!