As a new initiative from New Canaan’s police chief takes shape—a program that would see young people caught drinking alcohol illegally diverted into an educational session rather than arrested—the superintendent of schools is exploring ways to integrate the program at NCHS.
Asked for his thoughts on the proposed “diversionary program,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bryan Luizzi said it’s a “great idea to approach substance use and abuse by young people—by anyone—as an educational opportunity.”
“It is important that we do not just focus on punishment, that we focus on helping the people involved to learn from whatever mistakes they have made and support them so that they do not make the same mistakes in the future.”
The program itself would see police who break up underage drinking parties gather the names of kids otherwise charged with possession of alcohol by a minor or more serious offenses. Instead of receiving an infraction summons, those teens would be offered an opportunity to attend, together with their parents, two 2-hour sessions focused on drug and alcohol education.
One way that Luizzi has considered integrating the program at New Canaan High School is through its Athletic Policies and Guidelines. Right now, students who break the law are subject to immediate suspensions from participation and other punitive measures.
“I look at it [the diversionary program alternative] as a way we can educate students and help them learn and cut back on recidivism and make better choices in the future,” Luizzi said.
Specifically, there “could be a connection with athletic and co-curricular policies with students and other connections,” he added.
When Police Chief Leon Krolikowski introduced the proposed diversionary program at a Nov. 18 Police Commission meeting, the chairman of that group, Stuart Sawabini, said the outcome of suspending kids from playing on a sports team “jeopardizes the team more than anything else.”
During an interview, Luizzi said it isn’t clear yet whether a diversionary program would supplant the existing policy regarding student-athletes or integrate in some other way.
“I think that accountability for our actions is important and there is an accountability to ourselves and to those around us who are relying on us for certain things,” the superintendent said.
“Often we make bad choices in our lives it does not only impact us, it can have an impact on those around us and while it’s a difficult lesson to learn, when students are making poor decisions of this magnitude, it can also be an important lesson to learn. We want to be very thoughtful about all of those decisions because our goal in all of it is education.”