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Female ESHS students caught on video allegedly smoking marijuana

- fuels ongoing debate about sharing of such videos
June 18th, 2019 | Tags: debate minors Cyber Laws ESHS students marijuana
Following the appearance of a video clip on social media showing at least three female students of the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) smoking what appears to be marijuana in a washroom, a heated debating is ongoing about the intention to ban the circulation of such videos in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source/File
Education Minister Dr The Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) had stated in the House of Assembly on May 17, 2019 that government was going to look at ways to discourage persons from sharing videos of minors engaging in anti-social behaviour. Photo: GIS/File
Education Minister Dr The Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) had stated in the House of Assembly on May 17, 2019 that government was going to look at ways to discourage persons from sharing videos of minors engaging in anti-social behaviour. Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Following the appearance of a video clip on social media showing at least three female students of the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) smoking what appears to be marijuana in a washroom, a heated debating is ongoing about the intention to ban the circulation of such videos in the Virgin Islands.

The video, seen by this news site, revealed at least two of the girls in the uniform of ESHS; however, this news site was told the incident did not take place in the washroom of the school.

The video has since led to some persons expressing for and against the pending move by the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government to prosecute persons found guilty of sharing videos of children involved in unbecoming behaviour.

While some agree to have legislation in place for this, others feel it shouldn't be as many incidents will be put under a bushel. "These things uncover bullies, criminals, rapists and more. Don't tell me that people who capture the videos should take it to the police instead of sharing it. We don’t trust the police. When things go outside its easier to get justice, nobody can cover up," a resident, who wished to remain anonymous, related to our newsroom.

On the other hand, some feel the sharing of such videos opens underage children to discrimination and retaliation and can jeopardise their future.

Possible penalties for sharing videos of minors misbehaving

It was in May 2019 that Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said amendments will be made to the territory’s cyber laws to protect minors.

“What we want to do now is to prevent this from being there and put in legislation that would start to discourage persons from sharing those kinds of videos with our young people and otherwise,” Premier Smith said, while noting that once the videos are uploaded to the internet they are there forever.

“People will become more accountable for their actions and know to leave certain things alone.”

Meanwhile, Education Minister Dr The Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) had stated in the House of Assembly on May 17, 2019 that government was going to look at ways to discourage persons from sharing videos of minors engaging in anti-social behaviour.

“When we were young, we made foolish mistakes, but in those days there were no social media to record and expose those mistakes to the world. Our goal as parents is to protect our children, but we do not have adequate protection from the sharing of this information with malicious intent,” Hon Wheatley had stated.

10 Responses to “Female ESHS students caught on video allegedly smoking marijuana”

  • tretretrete (18/06/2019, 18:13) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    So embarrassing to their parents. This type of behavior is not acceptable. Yet another form of bully aka peer pressure. Hard to believe all actually was about that just the pressure of fitting in /staying cool. What they think was going happen after they shared the video (once)… Our youths need us. They have to learn how to actually say (No), it’s hard for them especially with today’s society of challenges yet not a real excuse to reach those who want to be reach. This just not acceptable. Sad to say but they should be expelled. They had to know better and had to know better.
    • hmmmmmm (18/06/2019, 20:45) Like (7) Dislike (17) Reply
      What is the difference between youths smoking marijuana and smoking cigarettes or even drinking alcohol?

      What if I give my child some wine, a product of the vine?
      • tretretrete (19/06/2019, 07:07) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
        You’ the ratchet type of parents. I’m not! No point back and forth with you. You might beat me with experience. Go give ya child wine, it’s your child but tell them don’t force their drunken habits on other people children.
  • Outlaw (18/06/2019, 18:51) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    More than embarrassing. And the sad part of it is they are form 1 Students. What a community of young people. They needs to interrogate them to the fullest and establish where they got that from , then deal with the supplier to the full extent of the law.
  • concern (18/06/2019, 19:17) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Had the same surprise some day ago after having a drink at one of the bars in the ghetto while flirting with the bar tender but these bar tenders will do anything for $$$ . Then about 2 days after on my way to work, I stop to give a school girl a ride to school and to my surprise, it was the same bar tender going high school. What is this place coming to? And now these school girls smoking in school.
  • wize up (18/06/2019, 20:45) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    does the issue lies with the shooting of the video or does it become an issue when that video goes viral: are we taking into consideration the content of the video: Who will be liable(the person that shot the video or the person that post the video online)....someone can shoot a video however someone else distributes that video: I personally think we need to devote more time to our younger generation; the social focus is tourism, traveling here and there to heads of state meetings: it is only when something happens we suddenly shift our focus for a few minutes then back to usual business....have more conversation with the youth they need our guidance
  • Can we start putting real news on this site (19/06/2019, 05:46) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    Is it really caught if you are video taping yourself
  • high school (19/06/2019, 08:45) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well it’s called high school
  • The TRUTH (20/06/2019, 18:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ high school...you sick...can't stop laughing.


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