Ciafarini is way out of bounds calling our high school "Heroin High", particulary when he admits he has absolutely no evidence to support his belief that West Deptford High has a big heroin problem. He should retract the statement, apologize for the harm he has done, and do his homework before he makes any extreme remarks in the future. Mayor Chintall, a former state trooper, should repudiate the "Heroin High" statement as well.

All this rhetoric is mind-boggling. I have no other name for this but politics pure and simple. Unless you have another explanation, I would ask, who put you up to this? The only good to come of this is that it sheds a light on a problem that most schools have had for many years. You are trying to "Kill the messenger" rather than addressing the problem the messenger points out. Councilman Cianfarini repeated what most of the kids have already have known about their high school at a closed door meeting in an attempt to try to see what could be done about it and you try to hand him his head. Since I don't attend high school, I would not have known of this reference "Heroin High", if not for some members of the public with the "inside scoop", bringing it up at the general meeting. Now that you, Mr. Smith, have also mentioned the word "Heroin High" in the same sentence with West Deptford High, I am appalled and disgusted you would categorize our fine high school with that name by bringing it up here in a public forum on the Internet. So now, thanks to you, the entire world knows. West Deptford High is still a fine school so please stop with all the grandstanding and turn that energy to a positive use by supporting the kids.

I am sickened and appalled by this fabricated, hurtful, uneducated, and flat-out malicious statement referring to our high school as, "Heroin High." This is just so wrong on so many levels, basically our esteemed Coucilman Cianfrani admitted that he made these comments based "on hearsay from what others are saying." Are you kidding me? This is an elected official who should be held to a higher standard that others, who should think before he spews out non-factual propoganda and hurts our youth of today.

Do you know the hurt and damage of this comment? At sporting events, at social get-togethers, the STUDENTS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL are the ones that are going to be suffering, not the Councilman. West Deptford High School is now coined "Heroin High" by one OF THEIR OWN COUNCILMAN. This wasn't an outsider sending barbs @ a sporting event, this was a guy who SHOULD HAVE the best interests of our students and children within our town.

This is just a sickening, horrible situation and there is no excuse, none whatsoever. Our children are being hurt by this comment---who in their right mind would say something like this WITH NO FACTS to back it up. And how could Councilman Cianfrani have the gall to state that it is "a political situation." No it's not, YOU said those hurtful words, what is so political about that?

I will be going to the Gloucester County Times, the News Stations, etc. to voice my displeasure. Sam Cianfrani should RESIGN right now for these comments.

Here's the best quote of the entire article, how dumb does this Councilman think the public of West Deptford really is:

“I did not demean the school in any way,” he said, sticking to his assertion he was quoting others when he made the reference originally. “I was not referring to West Deptford High School as ‘Heroin High’ from my own perspective.”

What perspective was he using then? His excuse doesn't even make sense! If he was "quoting others," then why DID HE EVEN REPEAT THE PHRASE and use his own words? Obviously, these are HIS words and HIS thoughts or he wouldn't have even broached the subject, he would have just dismissed the fodder as "hearsay" and "irrelevant."

For the Counilman to even bring-up these words and attach his name to the phrase, "Heroin High," the Councilman evidently was purveying his own thoughts.

This is one of the worst things that anyone could say any anybody and Councilman Cianfrani is indicting every student, teacher, and administrator within West Deptford High School by making such a baseless characterization.

Who in their right mind, let alone a Councilman who represents the entire town and school, would make such a baseless, wrong, hurtful, and sickening characterization? Shouldn't a Councilman, with the supposed best interests of the town, try to be selling the High School for the all the right it encompasses, for the great educational tools it provides, for it's great sports teams?

I am sick to my stomach.

I am a mother who has a daughter who attends West Deptford High School. She is an honors student and plays field hockey. She is going to college in the fall. All of her friends are talking about Councilman Sam Cianfrani's label of "Heroin High." They don't understand it and my daughter came home from school upset yesterday. This Coucilman, whom I voted for, admitted in this article that there was nothing to back up his claim and Mr. Little actually pointed-out that statistics disprove this notion. The Councilman later said that "there are people that are trying to make this political and shame on them." There is nothing political about this. It was a horrible error in judgemnt, an error that would cost most people their jobs. Shame on this Councilman. Shame on his words. To do this to my daughter and her friends who have never done anything wrong in their lives is the shame. I will be at the next meeting to voice my displeasure publically.

It is extremely offensive that a sitting councilman would level these slanderous accusations against our own high school and indict all of our students as heroin users. You should be ashamed of your self Sam. Do the right thing and step down. You are hurting the reputation of our entire township.

Wow, as stated above by Bill this is nothing but politics. What is said in a closed meeting should have stayed in a closed meeting, shame on you Mr. Smith for the public statement. With that being said, I think a majority of the W.D.H.S. parents have their heads held up so high that they are failing to see what is right under their nose. If you think your kids are angels you need a wakeup call. They may not be doing heroin but they are doing something, drinking, pills, lines, and smoking pot. It's real and it's happening - you don't know your kids as well as you think you do. So please get off your soapbox and actually pay attention to what your kids are really doing.

Could someone please explain to me what is "political" about an acting Councilman who makes an erroneus statement without and any facts to back it up? What is "so political" about a Councilman who calls his hometown High School "Heroin High" and then is called to carpet because the statistics that are brought forth prove that he has no clue what he is talking about?

Even if this slanderous comment was true, why is the world would someone with the supposed best interests of our town call our high school "Heroin High?" To me, this is grounds for the public to call on the Councilman to resign.

And to think, I voted for Councilman Cianfrani thinking that he would bring a positive change into our town. As an educator myself in another district, I am baffled and astonished that an acting Councilman would use these kinds of words in describing any high school with no facts whatsoever to back up his slanderous claim. This is another kid from another school calling West Deptford "Heroin High," this is a grown adult in a position of authority and leadership. There is no way that Councilman Cianfrani should be allowed to continue to govern our town.

As a retired law officer of over 36 years I find it not only offensive to the student body and administrators of the High School, but to the police force as well. Because this Councilman made up "Heroin High" with no facts despite every statistic proving him wrong, he went on record and pretty much called-out the town's police force for doing nothing about a problem that Councilman Cianfrani just made up out of hearsay and conjecture. I personally know Mayor Ray Chintall and I know that he is a man of dignity and honor, I am curious on his thoughts on his fellowing running mate referring to his town's high school as "HEROIN HIGH." I'm pretty much in awe of not only the fact that Councilman Cianfrani used this slanderous and disgusting term with no facts to back it up, but the arrogance that he shows by not apologizing for all the kids he hurt.

waldo if your sick to your stomach take some pepto.
can anyone show proof that there isn't drugs in herion high.
let's hear or see both sides before blaming anyone what wa said.
any families out there that had kids subject to drugs while attending wd high.
not all kids are in this catagory it only takes a few to ruin it for others.
if there is no drugs sam should apologize but if there is then what are you sick to my stomach people gonna say then.what if it was a dem that said it oh wow you would be all agreeing .

Councilman Cianfrani used poor judgement when referring to West Deptford High School as "Heroin High". Most would agree that every school system has to deal with drugs within the student body but I would not expect an elected official to refer to that school as "Heroin High". I voted for Cianfrani and hope that I was not wrong. As simply apology for the remark would satisfy me.

Here's what gets me: The fact that Councilman cianfrani is so ill-prepared and ill-informed. West Deptford High School does RANDOM DRUG TESTS. Last year, 6 out of 220 students failed their test, a very, very small percentage. Of those 6 tests, I was surmise that not all 6 were "for Heroin" if any at all. Before making such a broad generalization, wouldn't you do the proper research and talk to the proper peaople instead of, "listening to your sons, who went to the High School."

Drugs are rampant in society, broad generalizations such as "Heroin High" is not only ridiculous, it's flat-out insane. It's like saying that "there are fish in the ocean." Everyone knows that there are drugs in society, everyone knows that are drugs in high schools. But, to call that High School that YOU represent as a Councilman, "Heroin High," and then not to back off that statement shows the true colors of Councilman Cianfrani as a Person. Not as a politician, as a PERSON. Councilman Cianfrani can spin it anyway that he pleases, there is absolutely no political connection to calling your hometown high school, "Heroin High."

Sam just hurts the children, the town, the teachers, the coaches, and the administrations who all work hard to foster a great, educational environment. Ralph Waldo Emerson said in an earlier post that he was sick to his stomach, I am too, because that language should NEVER, EVER be used regarding the kids I coach. You can bet I'll have something to say to Sam's face.

I don't know Cianfrani and I'm not involved in politics. I will say that Ciafraini is correct & that people outside of WD have been saying for YEARS that there's a drug problem at the high school. Whether it's true or not, the fact is that people outside of WD perceive our high school as having a drug problem. Before I moved to WD, people from all over the county warned me not to move here because of the drug problem in the high school. I was repeatedly warned to watch out for drugs in WD because there's a huge problem. I moved here anyway & really haven't seen or heard anything about drugs that would concern me. Perhaps this reputation for drug problems stems back to the 90's when there was an issue with heroin at the high school. I think a student may have died from a tainted batch of heroin. Whatever the reason, people need to stop killing the messenger and address this perception. How? I don't have the answer. It just seems really clear to me that the people are blowing this way out of proportion for political gain.

The problem I have is that Sam's comments are a clear indication of his belief that the police department and school officials are doing an inadequate job when it comes to controlling drugs in our school with little or no evidence to support that belief. We should have listened to Sean Kilpatrick when he warned us that Sam likes do do things one way: his way. Take cover WD, the pitch forks and torches are coming out.

I am a student @ the High School. WE GET DRUG TESTED. Sure, there are drugs here, but I have never seen a drug in the school in my life. Only 6 of my classmates in the entire school failed a drug test out of 220 random samples. The statistics show that there is NOT a problem. My teaches and administrators do not think that there is a problem. The Police force does not think that there is problem. Why anyone would make an issue out of this is pretty dumb. Wouldn't more than 1% of the students fail a random sample if there was a huge drug problem as Councilman Sam says? He seems to be the only one that wants to label the entire school even though facts do not back up that claim. I'm only 17-years-old but I have already learned in life that if you don't have facts to back up your claims than you shouldn't really say anything at all. I hope that the Councilman who made these claims apologizes and then we can all move on. The generaliztion that was made makes us all look like we are out on Friday nights shooting heroin. Many of us have never even seen drugs before.

I have been a republican for over 50 years. I voted for Sam and Ray and will still do so. But sometimes you have to put political affiliation aside and deem what is right and what is wrong. The title of this article doesn't make me happy: "Cianfarini Standing By ‘Heroin High’ Comment." From a town priide standpoint, what does it say when outsiders look at this title? Maybe Sam was emotional when he said this. But, after the superintendent provided the facts that only 6/220 random samples came back positive for some sort of drug (might not even have been heroin), he should taken a step back, apologized, and retracted his statement.

This is political at all, not a republican/democrat battle. It's about someone who said something that they should not have, plain and simple. Throw the arogance out the window, Sam. You are just compounding the problem. There is a fine line bewteen right and wrong, this is a battle you can't win. You can't go around making stuff up about children and our future leaders. No one wins. You and Ray are doing a fine job with everything, I am proud to be a republican in WD, but what you said is just wrong. Let's all move on, unite, and get this town going in the right direction.

What if Eli Manning said in a press conference that "a lot of people thought the Giants had no chance of winning the Super Bowl"? Would everyone be bashing him and asking him to leave NYC because he said "the Giants had no chance of winning the Super Bowl"? Unless you were there, you don't know the context of Cianfarini's comments.

Wow! That's all I have to say. I just home from work and read this article. I have to agree with the vast majority here, why would anyone who cares about WD, let alone a Councilman in a leadership position make these horrific comments about our students? This is so wrong that I don't even know where to start. I voted against this Councilman during the election and now, he's proving me right. This is so, so wrong. I am sitting down now to write a letter to the editor of The Gloucester County Times voicing my displeasure. David Henry from Channel 6 Action News is a business associate of my husband, I am surely going to alert him of the disgusting quotes from our town's representitive---quotes that are not only hurtful to our youth, but are completely proven wrong by random drug testing. I am just glad that our Superintendent took the classy way and dispelled this RUMOR by backing it up on a factual basis, unlike our Councilman.

The arrogance of this Councilman is what will ultimately be his downfall. The guy will just continue to bury himself. He evidently likes to see his own quotes in the paper and feels he's important. Yeah, what he said was horrible. So be it. Things are said and stuff happens. But instead of taking the high road, admitting he was wrong, not informed, and didn't do his homework, he just continues to throw his nose in the faces of the people he represents by not apologizing for his quotes. A 3-year-old can see that calling a high school that you represent "heroin high" is wrong, but this guy has such an inflated ego, that he A) won't admit that he is wrong or B) is just too stupid to realize the impact that his quotes have on our town. I'm disappointed in our Councilman's actions. I'm more disappointed by the way that he just shrugs it off and continues to think he is right. Laughable.

What I find amazing about all of this, Gerry White is more than likely behind the whole thing, and the leak. He and his cronies have been trying to make the new administration look bad since they took office, Ms. Symborski is the most obvious one. She looks really good up there throwing them under the bus every chance she gets. You must be so proud Gerry White! I find it amazing that Gerry White is suddenly interested in the Township meetings, where has he been all of these years?

It was a closed meeting. Whoever chose to publicize what was said is the one who is out of line. Thats the point of having a closed meeting. So topics can be discussed without all the nonsense thats happening now. This foolishness only spreads the comment publicly and serves no other purpose than to further the agenda of the person who made it public.

I agree with with Long Time Republican. Mr. Cianfarini should admit his mistake, retract the unfounded and out of bounds statement, and just say he is sorry. If he doesn't do that, the rest of the Township Committee, both Republicans and Democrats, should do it for him. Our high school or, more important, our students don't deserve this negative label. Mr. Ciafarini: "man up" and say you were wrong!

To let folks who have had various things to say about me being a political puppet...let me clear the air. My opinions are MINE, right or wrong. If you don't believe that ask Jerry White, he and I are usually on opposite sides of a procedure but never an ideology. Why? Because we are democrats. Why am I a democrat? Not because my parents and grandparents were, but because I support and vote for the party most aligned with what I think is good. Have many people read the democratic ( or republican) platform? How about The Political Culture of the Democratic and Republican Parties, or how about Democrat vs. Republican Parties differences and comparisons? I have! Maybe if others did there wouldn't be so much mud slinging. Now for all those that think I blabber and am a nusiance, get over it. I'm here to stay. Now that's why I can voice my opinions...that and the first amendment of course. Mr. Cianferini is in a position of leadership...he, and people who believed in him, put him in a position where he is held to a high standard! No one in there right mind would say there are not SOME students in our high school that have issues with drugs. But the large majority of our students are there to get a superb education, participate in the array of clubs, service projects, band and sports. We are blessed with many exceptional staff members to guide these students most of whom do not use drugs. Apologize Mr. Cianfarini! You have insulted the majority of WDHS students

I find it hard to believe what I'm reading, that so many are creating drama and looking to take offence where none was intended. I have had two children go through the high school and YES I have heard for years the reference of "heroin High" in regard to our high school. As far as I'm concerned if the town council did NOT address this PR problem in a council meeting I'd say that they weren't doing the jobs we elected them to do. That's what this is people a PR problem as to how outsiders view WD, not whether there is or isn't a basis for our high school's reputation with drugs. This drama is absolutely an attempt to make Mr. Cianfarini look insensitive or contemptuous toward the high school.

Why should he apologize for doing his job? For so many people to take offence at a councilman who actually cares enough to bring up the hard topics in a "closed-door" meeting is to say the least shocking. He did not call WD High School "heroin high" he brought to the councils attention that outsiders call it "heroin high." It seems that so many who posted on this want to keep their heads in the sand about the actual problem and quote numbers on drug tests. The point is that it doesn’t matter if our positive drugs tests are low, but that our town's reputation is that our high school has a drug problem whether that is true or not. Mr. Cianfarini showed true concern for our children and our town by addressing the problem with our school's reputation in a "closed-door" meeting. I believe that his concern for our town's reputation was respectful to both our town and its children. The person who disrespected our town is the person who spread town business from a "closed-door" meeting all over the internet for their own agenda. That person should resign immediately since they have shown themselves to not care about our town's reputation, its schools or its children, shame on that rotten apple in our midst not on Mr. Cianfarini.

The point is this man is an acting committeeman and for him to make slanderous and offensive statements that degrade and humiliate our school system without and factual evidence is simply unforgiveable. If there was any factual data to back up his slanderous statements then I would understnad, but he has made a mockery of our entire township and school system and he needs to apologize or resign immediately.

I am a junior at the high school hoping to attend college upon my graduation.
i'm still too young to vote but after reading the comments on this forum I was compelled to add my own.
ever since middle school there has been a continuinh influx of drugs being generated through the population of not only middle school but high school as well.
I guess the adult world is either blind or they turn the other way to acknowledge that there could be a problem at the school.
cliques and especially peer pressure attributes to such circumstances.
I don't want to bash the committee person that said the remark that wd high school is herion high but I been hearing that expression since 6th grade.
people instead of bashing someone that has said this comment look to the outside that this comment was made possibly by one of your kids in the past.
also look at the other problems that exist at the school.
your supposed to be adults act like it not like teenagers and tend to the business of getting our town back the way it was.

student101 and redneckwillie3 are Sam Cianfrani posting under different usernames, just like he does on numerous sites. How anyone can justify these comments is beyond the realm of imagination? Horrible comment aside, THERE ARE NO FACTS TO BACK UP THIS CLAIM. Actually, the statistics prove otherwise. If any COUNCILMAN made any claim, should they be prepared enough to have something to back up their claims. Would you go into a budget meeting not having the proper statistics to back up the budget? Why would anyone (parent, councilman, student, etc.) make up something that doesn't exist? 6 out of 220 random samples! Yeah, there's a drug problem----it's imagined in Sam's head.

who is the turncoat that offered these comments from a closed session, they are the ones that should be looked at because they really don't have the school or the townships back.

Kudos to two WDHS students, Harry and student101 for participating in this discussion. Although you represent to different points of view, both seem to be in the MAJORITY of WDHS students who do not involve yourselves in the drug scene. As an elected official, self proclaimed leader of this town, he is very disrespectful of you as well, as the MAJORITY of your schoolmates that are in GOOD groups. He should NEVER repeat such comments, except under the protection of closed session meetings, in which this statement would not legally be a subject of such meetings. The meeting in which this statement was made was comprised of most, if not all, WD residents some of whom have students in the middle or high school, or may have in the future. He had no basis in fact, he DID NOT do his homework. This is evidence of poor judgement, impulsivness and flagrant inability to pull in the reins on his power trip. These traits are not those of a good leader. He may be steering us into a hostile work environment lawsuit due to possible retaliative machinations regarding this or future issues. As employee of WD, you do not forego your rights under the US Constitution or NJ laws, taxpayers (i.e. your parents) cannot afford to pay for unnecessary lawsuits. This is the thinking of those acting as adults. Minimally, he needs to apologize to those students who refuse to cave to peer pressure. Yes,like most schools, we have a drug problem. You are in the fray daily. Any ideas????????

I notice you don't acknowledge my response to harry the other "student" who posted during school hours. Hmmm.

You know what? My kid goes to the high school, is in the Honors Program, and is not offended by this one bit. When I showed my child this article know what the response was? "You politics people love to create drama where there is none." If only the adults could follow this lead.

Such a tempest in a teapot. Honestly, theres much more than drugs to be concerned about at WDH . Like senior boys trooklling for freshman girls and having sex with these underage girls. Like one of your precious footballers getting BJs from freshman girls and the school admin ignores it because the footballers are demi-gods there. Drugs are so NOT. Girl punches out a boy in the classroom and kids beating up one another after school. Bullying is the norm for any kid who doesn't fit the WD mold. As a parent I'm more concerned about that than some politician talking behind closed doors.

I was at the Township Committee on February 2 when this soap opera started. What I heard was a few residents of our town question Mr. Cianfarini why he called our High School "Heroin High". When Mr. Cianfarini was given the chance to explain his closed meeting comment to the residents and how this term was used and in what context, the select few residents continued to choose to only concentrate on the fact that "Heroin High" came out of his mouth. From my perspective, Mr. Cianfarini repeated a term he heard that is demeaning to our school, our students, and our community. As a leader of our town, I would expect Mr. Cianfarini and all of the other leaders, elected and unelected, Mrs. DiCarlo, to address problems and perceived problems within our community. Mr. Cianfarini did not call our High School "Heroin High", he was repeating a term used in the perception of our High School. I am thankful Mr. Cianfarini is working toward bettering our schools and protecting my 46% of taxes, per http://www.westdeptford.com/budget.shtml, that are allocated toward our education institutions.
All this witch hunt is, is West Deptford's version of Mitt Romney's "I like to fire people" and "not concerned about the poor" comments taken out of context. If you wish to simply take a couple of words or a phrase out of the context spoken, then everyone is guilty of slander. You all have repeated the "Heroin High" phrase, the same as Mr. Cianfarini has. I guess we are all guilty per this definition.

Sam backers and lackeys can try to deflect the situation and make exuses anyway that they readily please. The bottom line is that our Councilman called our high School "Heroin High." Spin it any way that you please, bring up other problems, say that Sam "was repeatinga term," blah, blah, blah. The people defensing this so-called Councilman are as bad as him. A councilman should not call his home town high school "Heroin High" no matter what, there is no excuse. Especially, SINCE THERE ARE NO FACT TO BACK IT UP AND STATISTICS PROVE OTHERWISE.

This is politics, this isn't a he-said, she-said, it is simply a Councilman being very, very wrong and hurtful. Sam Cianfarini is bottom of the barrell---he should look at himself in the mirror before throwing false claims about our children and damaging the repuation of our town, children, and school. He is nothing but a scumbag, a carpet-bagging, power hungry, wanna-be politician whose arrogance is going to bury himself.

This guy should resign. I feel bad for our Mayor, Ray Chintall, who is doing a good job but has aligned himself with this classless stooge.

I am curious to see what Ray Chintall, a former State trooper has to say about his running mate indicting our towns police force? HMMMM...should be interesting!

What does Mayor Ray Chintall, a former State Trooper, have to say about his runningmate's comments? I guess his silence speaks dividends.

I would also be interested on what a former state trooper who is the the Mayor of our Township has to say about his fellow councilman calling our high school "Heroin High?" I am sure he can't be too pleased about Councilman Cianfarini indicting our town's police force and school administrators with these unreal comments. What an idictment of Sam's character, what other Councilman would ever say such blatantly horrible things about the students that he represents? Sean Kilpatrick was right, this guy is in it for himself, no one else, but himself. Absolutely shameful.

First of I all, I must preface my staement by saying that I voted for Councilman Cianfarini and thought that he would bring a fresh vocie and change. Boy, was I wrong. I am not talking about being a Republican or a Democrat. I am talking about being a Mother. There is no justification of refering to our students as "heroin addicts" and our high school as "heroin high." The clowns that are making up excuses for this Councilman are as bad as him in my honest opinion. Closed-door meeting, on the street, wherever----SAM CIANFARINI IS A COUNCILMAN. He cannot say this about our children anywhere! There are no facts to back up his claims. NONE. In fact, as the Superintendent of our school pointed out, statistics disprove this theory that Sam just plucked out of the air to make himself looka and feel important. You have to remember, we are talking about a Councilman here, a guy who represents West Deptford. He should be held to a higher standard and must think before he speaks. Instead of ripping the whistleblower, we should laud him or her. It was not alright what was said, I don't care if it was behind closed doors or not. No one should speak about the youth of our town like that, especially a Councilman!!! This guy should have to answer for these comments and should be forced to resign.

I am retired. I am 72-years-old. My three kids went through the Gateway Regional High School district. All three went on to college (Dickinson, Rutgers, Villavova). I have two grandchildren who attend West Deptford High School, play sports, and who are great kids. I read this article and could not believe that an acting Councilman refered to the school that he represents as "Heroin High School" without any evidence except hearsay to base his comments on. If a Woodbury Heights Councilman had said this when my kids were at Gateway, I would marched on Borough Hall and demanded answers. This is just so wrong on so many levels. Remember, this isn't a random guy or a random child making this assertion, this is an acting township official with the supposed best interests of the town. This is very sameful behavior from a man is supposed to know better. Maybe this Councilman just isn't that bright, he's not even apologizing, and this is a very forgiving society. To think calling your high school "Heroin High" was OK because others have called it that, is flat-out comical. And shame to the responders who are trying to justify this Councilman's comments, there is no justification for a man in a postion such as this Councilman to say these things. It's not political one bit, so let's not make it political. These words were spoken and were wrong. I am glad that I don't have this Councilman representing my town.

Why is the Mayor of our town not having our backs, being that he is a fellow officer of the law? Why is Mayor Chintall hiding under a rock and allowing Councilman Sam Cianfarini to make up false claims that embarrass our police force who do an incredible job of keeping drugs out of not only the High School, but the town in general. I have spoken to our County FOP President and we plan on repsonding to these horrendous allegations. And yes, they are allegations because there are no facts to back-up this uninformed Councilman's claims. Why isn't Ray Chintall responding to this, he is the MAYOR and a State Trooper to boot. To say that I am highly disappointed with Mayor Chintall is an understatement.

http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2012/02/west_deptford_superintendent_p.html

Article in Gloucester County Times today with quotes from the police chief and superintednent WHO ACTUALL PROVIDE FACTS AND STATISTICS to call Cianfarini a "LIAR" who just makes up stuff as he pleases.

"Heroin High," is just disgusting coming from the mouth of a supposed leader and Councilman. You cannot make this stuff up.

I own a pizza parlor/restaurant in town, we serve West Deptford as well as people from other towns. Just today, there were multiple patrons talking about this subject, many even asked our counterperson if "West Deptford High School was infested with heroin?" This is horrible for business and the perception of outsiders. The Councilman should keep his mouth shut, it just takes away from the business in town.

A ridiculous comment. And now just read some of the absurd comments trying to justify Sam's behavior. People are actually attacking our high school's football players because a Councilman thought it was alright to go on record and attack the high school that I teach at by labeling the student body "heroin users." Nobody wins here, at this point, the councilman was given an opportunity to back-off his comments, and he still won't do so despite statistics, my superintendent, and the police chief coming to our school's defense.

This isn't about politics or Gerry White or the Democrats seeking revenge for a lost election, this is about character and teh students of our town. Any fool knows that you should not call any high school "heroin high," especially one that YOU, as a COUNCILMAN, are elected to represent. I will be talking to our teacher's union tomorrow and hopefully we will provide a letter asking for this Councilman's Resignation. I am both appalled and astonished that one of our own leaders would stoop to this level. There is no justification or excuse that can be made for these offending and hurtful comments. What do you think other teachers from other schools in the Conference are going to be saying about us? Shame on you, Councilman Sam Cianfarini, shame on you!

Good for Sam. He must know something that we, as taxpayers don't know. He must have some kind of secret information or be privy to something that no one else knows. I am glad that he pointed-out that West Deptford is heroin-infested and plagued by scum and drugs. I am so happy that I just recently sold my house and can pull my kids out of "Heroin High." I would advise no one to move into West Deptford or send their kids to "Heroin High." Since our Councilman thinks the High School is so infested with hard drugs, I urge all parents to call up West Deptford's Police Force and tell them what a horrible job that they are doing of keeping hard drugs out of both the school and the town. If a Councilman is so concerned that Heroin is part of the High School culture that he has to address the issue behind closed doors to every administrator in town, then he must have inside information on just what an epidemic heroin has become at WD High. Since it's such a problem, I would urge the school nurse to hand out clean needles so AIDS also doesn't become an epidemic. According to our Councilman, West Deptford isn't that far off from Camden. I am so glad that I sold my house and I would urge no one else to move into West Deptford. If we have an acting Councilman saying that the High School is full of a bunch of "heroin users," than it must be true. Thank you, Councilman Cianfarini for bringing this horrible problem to light. West Deptford is trash like you say! I am outta here.....

you people act like it's the end of the world what he said.nothing like downplaying the whole situation.political satire at it's best.
what about the dealers they have families to feed.could be worse thank god there no murders or rapes at the high school just bringing out the truth what the high school is all about.now i'm sure not all kids are subjected to this environment but first and foremost the problem has to be corrected along with the bullying.

I agree herionhigh it's about time someone brought this to light.
but the way it leaked out of the close session and it's all or just one democrat saying the negative things, it had to be donna b or denise d the two bookends at the meetings.
subject to the words of the puppetmaster g white.
when are these dumb azz dems gonna throw in the towell.
pssst want come good chit mon.

Bryan,
Can we also clear up the confusion by quoting exactly what your "source" (aka township staff member) claims Mr. Cianfarini said at this meeting? I think a quote rather than the general idea would go a long way.

There must be a HUGE cover-up by Councilman Cianfarini and he MUST be with-holding information from both the Police Chief and Superintendent of schools. There must be cheating on the random drug tests that Councilman Cianfarini knows about or he must have hired a private investigator to get some sort of footage on heroin use in the High School. Because if he doesn't have any proof and made these SLANDEROUS comments, than that is grounds for a lawsuit and his resignation because not ONE STUDENT TESTED POSITIVE FOR HEROIN. I can't wait to hear Councilman Cianfarini's "special report" with facts to back up his salcious claims about the high school being infested with all kinds of heroin. Maybe the Councilman can address what "he unearthed" and what the Police Chief "doesn't know" because to go on record with these claims, he MUST HAVE SOME CONCRETE PROOF because if not, he has set himself up for a lawsuit and dismissal from office. I wounder what Sam is hiding and covering-up? I can't wait to hear!

I am curious to see what Smoking Gun Cianfarini has up his sleeve because to call a High School "Heroin High" when random drug testing shows that not one student failed a test for heroin, is slanderous. If Councilman Sam cannot back up his claims with proof, how can anyone trust this guy? He's attacking our students without proof, what's next, the senior citizens? I sure hope this guy can unviel some facts, videotape, or a report to substantiate his claims or he should be relieved of his duties by our Mayor.

Speaking of the Mayor and ex-State Trooper, why hasn't he come out and issued a statement sticking-up for West Deptford High School? Why hasn't he admonished the Councilman for his comments publically?

What kind of cover-up is going on in West Deptford? What kind of back-door dealings are going on in these "closed sessions?" Thank God someone had the courage to no longer allow Sam and Ray to say these horrible things behind closed doors!

To all you "bury your heads in the sand" crowd, let me tell you I am a product of the WD School system. I attended WDHS and the drug problem in the 80's was rampant. Students were drinking in the cars in the parking lots, smoking pot in the lavs and snorting coke off their notebooks in class. What did the teachers and administration do about it then.... NOTHING just as I suspect is being done now. Lets sweep everything under the rug and hope no one in the public notices. We'll Committeeman Cianfarini noticed and spoke up in DEFENSE of your kids. And you freakin morons sit there and attack him for purely political reasons. You freaks all make me sick...Go back and waste your time licking Gerry Whites boots and leave WD to the adults, we got it now.

Are any of you foaming at the mouth types even reading what Bryan wrote a few comments back. I really doubt it and you have reached the level of just being stupid.

4 all u idiots on here keep up the stupid and moronic comments.need a good chuckle once in a while.