Zero Tolerance in N.E. PA

This story came to us from Honesdale, PA:

Hello! My name is Marilyn I am the mother of a wonderful 15 yr. old former high school student at Honesdale HS in Honesdale PA. On April 2,2008 my son went to school as usual but the events that followed were forever to scar him and our entire family. A student that had been caught doing grafiti in one of the school bathrooms was caught in the act, was brought to the office and he decided to say that my son had helped him,( my son has never been in trouble, has never even had a detention) my son was pulled out of class 1st period, brought to the office and sat next to the accused student, they knew each other from Math class. This student said to my son "just say that you did it and we will go to detention together" my son told him that he had not done anything and that he would have no part in this. My son was then called int o the vice principals office he denied having part in this. When they came out the vice principal told the other student that my son said he had nothing to do with the incident, at that time this student started crying and screaming and ran out trying to get out of the building he was brought back at which time he must have realized he was in a hot seat and said "OK, he did not help me but he sells drugs". ( our nightmare began!) my son was brought into the vice principals office with another teacher that was in the office helping the v. principal he was drilled frisked called names and told that if he did not admit to this that he would be brought to a judge and he would be put away. My son kept asking for me to be called they said when you tell the truth! His locker was torn apart his books were shaken( my son has an IEP, he has an anxiety disorder, no one was called from sp.ed, no nurse no police no parent! At 12:30pm I was called at home and told that my son was caught selling drugs, I flew to the school 13 miles, I asked if they had searched and where were the drugs? No drugs were found they said but he admitted to it. I could not believe it, I know better. I was scared I did not know my rights, we were told that the police would not be called (I asked) I thought they were been kind. If it was today I would have screamed to the top of my lungs and said "CALL THE COPS" When we got in the car my son explained the truth. We got a lawyer,advocates, he was given 180day expulsion, it was recinded, my son was however not allowed to return he now goes to connections academy cyber school.
Isolated, afraid here sits a now 10th grader violated by a system that is blind and obsesed with Zero Tolerance. Naturally there is more horror to this story, I don't want to bore you so I gave just the star events.
Thank-You for reading and good luck with your work, we are living proof of the damage caused by zero tolerance. Thanks again, it helps me to be able to share this life changing unfair event.
sincerely Marilyn