Trying to Do the Right Thing...and Failing Miserably

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." - Maria Robinson

Communities need to take a strong stand against both underage drinking and drinking and driving. But they need to exercise common sense while doing so. 

North Andover senior volleyball setter Erin Cox came to the aid of a friend who had been drinking, and gave her a ride to prevent her from drinking and driving. And in the "no good deed goes unpunished" mode, the scholar-athlete was suspended from athletic participation and stripped of her captaincy. So much for "friends don't let friends drive drunk."

What would have happened in Melrose? It is the height of both vanity and folly to believe that underage drinking is not an epidemic problem everywhere. Melrose has had its share of problems. But we need to separate the messages about bad decision-making and good responses to promote the safety of our children.

Presuming the facts are as presented, North Andover would have been hard-pressed to have handled this in a more ham-handed manner. As of now, their Athletic Director has been silent on the issue. Meanwhile, Ms. Cox and her volleyball teammates are being punished for a responsible decision by a scholar-athlete.

Who will have the wisdom of Solomon to restore her to the volleyball team, reinstate her captaincy, and wipe her slate clean, while maintaining the battle for teen sobriety? At this point, is the decision about doing the right thing or about saving face? It is time for someone to be the adult.