You are not acquainted with the current brand of 12-year-old classroom thugs, are you? Unfortunately, school administrators have little choice in reporting this sort of thing. If they handled it quietly and in house, then they risk a lawsuit for whatever reason from some unforeseen consequence of not coming down hard on this boy. I don't think this should be a felony offense, but there should be a punishment.
I don't know about the school mentioned in this article, but I do know that the kids in our local schools are taught all about drugs and look-alike drugs in D.A.R.E. classes. The kids here know better than to do what this child did. Of course, that never stopped 'em from doing what they want anyway.
"You are not acquainted with the current brand of 12-year-old classroom thugs, are you?"
When I was in the sixth grade we were the kings of the maypole. No under classman need try to get a handle before school or at recess.
All I know is that the same govt that gave us your 12 year old classroom thugs also gave us the war on some drugs and now the war on sugar and oregano.
America has gone nuts.