1. Would you order Ashley to spend time in jail? Why or why not? 2. In your opinion, does jail time stop young people from using drugs again? Is jail the best way to deal with drug offenses? Why or why not?

3. Does Ashley need to be punished? Or does she just need help in overcoming her drug dependence? Or both?

4. Ashley's parents say that they are concerned about Ashley's welfare and will do anything to help her. Yet they say they're completely unaware of her heavy drug use. She loves her parents, but has little respect for them. She feels neglected by her mother, yet craves her attention. What changes in the parents' behavior would you like to see? How would you go about helping the family?

5. Ashley's own mother supposedly used drugs, and now Ashley is before the court on a drug charge. Should Ashley's mother be partly responsible for her daughter's behavior? If so, how? If not, why not?

You Be The Judge

6. Based on the information, what should Ashley's sentence be?

Your Response to the Judge's Decision

7. Are you surprised about the judge's sentence? Why or why not?

8. Was it harder or easier on Ashley than your sentence? In what ways?

9. What part of the judge's sentence do you agree with? What part do you disagree with? Why?

10. Is there anything missing from the judge's decision? What is it, and why do you think it is important?

11. What do you predict will happen to Ashley? Why?

Final Thoughts

12. Are you surprised that Ashley went back to using drugs? Why or why not?

13. Was there anything else the court could have tried to help Ashley? Or were all possible options used?

14. Did you know that there is house arrest for teenagers? How would being under house arrest affect your behavior?

15. Do you think Ashley's parents were right to take her and the marijuana to the police in the first place? Why or why not? If you began using drugs, would you want your parents to step in and "turn you in"?

16. Have you ever felt unloved or unwanted by your parents? Did the feeling pass or does it still exist? Is it something you can discuss with them? Have you tried getting it out in the open? What would you like to say to them?