Teen Edition
Students upset by Breathalyzer at school dances

May 15, 2008

A new Darien High School policy requires all students to take a Breathalyzer test before attending dances. Student Jacky Munoz is breathalyzed by teacher Jeromy Nelson at a recent dance. (Darien Teen Times/Sean Otterspoor photo)

A new rule has been put into place for the Darien High School students at school dances and other functions — including the prom: Students now need to pass a Breathalyzer test, which determines their blood alcohol level.

The reason this was put into effect is because of the issues that happened at last year’s prom when several students were found to be drunk. They were later suspended.

When there was evidence of many students drinking, and being under the influence, school administration issued the Breathalyzer rule in order to keep school dances a respectable and safe environment for all students and faculty.

Ever since the Breathalyzer rule came in place, many DHS students have complained that they feel that it is a waste of time and is annoying to the students who have never gone to a school function under the influence of anything to have to take a test to prove their sobriety.

Many students, who asked that their names not be used, said that there is a line that shouldn’t be crossed, and they feel administration is crossing that line by forcing every student to participate in the Breathalyzer testing. Students feel that it is very obvious if there is a student who is under the influence, and only those students should be pulled aside and be forced to take a Breathalyzer test.

But Principal Dan Haron said that “students who wish to participate in the privilege of a school dance should be open to taking part in a minimally invasive test to ensure their sobriety.

“The American Civil Liberties Union actually thinks it is better to test everyone prior to coming into a dance than to selectively test kids based on suspicion,” which is what the school has done in the past.

It would raise a lot more controversy if administrators were to select a few students to take a Breathalyzer test, he said. In the past students who were tested and caught felt it was unfair that they  had to pay the consequences, while others went unpunished because they weren’t tested.


© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers