We must address underlying reasons for teen violence

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Originally Published in Pittsburgh Post Gazette on February 26th, 2018

The school shooting in Parkland, Fla., should sound a panic alarm for lawmakers to prioritize a probe into the underlying basis for the surge in teen violence. The 800-pound gorilla may well be the ease of access to heavy-duty firearms. But we should also pull our heads out of the sand when it comes to the rampant problems that create unrest among vulnerable youth, including bullying, domestic violence, hate groups, violent gaming and the absence of positive role models.

Sadly, there is a risk that the memory of the Florida school massacre will soon fade away from the spotlight, like the dozens of other similarly terrorizing attacks, and we will once again become distracted by frivolous issues such as whether the executive in the White House spends too much time on TV or golf.

It is time to get serious about confronting the real problems that face our country, and the safety of our schoolchildren should be at the top of the list.

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Sohail Husain

Dr. Sohail Husain serves as President of the Association of Ahmadi Muslim Scientists USA. He has also served in various leadership positions within the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Assoication and the local community. At his day job, he serves as an Associate Professor of Pediatric Gastroenterology at the University of Pittsburgh. His research focuses on investigating the molecular basis of pancreatitis, which is a painful, inflammatory disease of the pancreas. Dr. Husain considers the practice of writing as both a crucial professional engagement, as well as a powerful means of personal expression.

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