Erin Cox, a Massachusetts High School student, was punished by the school authorities for dropping an intoxicated friend home.

Her friend, name unknown, had texted her, soliciting her help in going home. Cox reached the party venue to help her friend. Around same time, the cops also reached their and arrested a few people for underage drinking. Cox was given a clean chit because she was sober. She picked her friend and left from there.

Later, she was punished by her school, North Andover High School, for violating the institutions zero tolerance policy towards alcohol. This, despite the fact that cops at the venue had confirmed Cox's sobriety.

The school took away her captaincy (Erin Cox is a star volleyball player and is on the team) and suspended her for five games.

Speaking to Boston Herald, Cox said that she did the right thing by helping her friend in trouble.

"But I wasn't drinking. And I felt like going to get her was the right thing to do. Saving her from getting in the car when she was intoxicated and hurt herself or getting in the car with someone else who was drinking. I'd give her a ride home," as told to Boston Herald.

Cox's parents challenged the school's order in the court of law but the district court judge turned down the lawsuit claiming that matter was out of the court's jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, the school authorities are adamant that Erin Cox violated the school rules and the punishment will not be called off.

Eleanor Cox, mother of 17 year old Erin insisted that her daughter did not do anything wrong. Erin Cox's parents have urged people to come forward and voice their support for Erin and convince the school to roll back the punishment.

Erin's supporters have taken up her cause on social media site Reddit.com.

FredJones commented in Erin's support, "Reading the school handbook and athletic handbook, student athletes may not drink alcohol, but I can find no rule against going to a party where they serve alcohol. in fact they say: "This MIAA statewide minimum standard is not intended to render "guilt by association", e.g. many student athletes might be present at a party where only a few violate this standard."