Breathalyzers and Proms

[Conkozan]

I don't see how this is any different than random drug testing for athletic dept. participants.

Count me PRO-breathalyzer (especially since the kids KNOW they can be tested and would be complete idiots to drink in that case)

 

[mrsltg]

I think you are altogether missing the point. If the breathalizer is at the prom--and it known fact to all prom-goers that it will be there And, prom being one of the major events in a HS life--I would think that many would not drink before prom for fear they would be "caught" and not let into prom plus being embarassed by having their PARENTS have to PICK them up.

And, yes I plan to encourage my kids to not drink and drive or get in the car with anyone who has been drinking and driving.

But, I have to say, I will NOT be serving my kids any alcohol before prom or any other dance they are going to. "Hey kids, here is a glass of wine for you start the prom night off right--take the keys to the car and be careful!" Sorry that seems really wacked to me.

Who said they will be serving their kids alcohol and then sending them off to drive? Kids here take limos. No renting cars. Who let's their kid rent a car to drive ALL NIGHT? Nevermind alcohol - how about impairments from lack of sleep? Again, what are you going to do about after the prom?

 

[DVCLiz]

If they haven't yet been taught not to drink and drive the message is not going to suddenly become clearer because they will be tested. They now simply know when not to drink. I agree DVCLiz, this is common sense. It seems to me the point you are making to your kids is, "just drink on night when you won't get caught," as opposed to, "I trust your judgement. I expect you to behave accordingly."

That certainly is one of the points I am making to my daughter, and I don't think the two are mutually exclusive. I know she will probably do some underage drinking - in fact, I started a thread about this last year, and I was one of the more liberal parents on it. The thread was about whether you'd want your son or daughter going off to college to have had some exposure to alcohol and sexual behavior, or whether you expected them simply not to indulge in either until they were of legal age or married. I do trust my daughter's judgement, which is why I would much rather point out to her that drinking a beer in someone's basement is a much better choice than showing up drunk at the prom. The "getting caught" issue isn't such a big deal at this age (seniors), at least for me. I'd be very unlikely to punish her at this stage for having a beer or a glass of wine. But driving is another matter entirely, as she well knows, and before the prom is just a bad time to try anything alcohol-related.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Do other states not have underage drinking laws? I noticed a few posts about cops can't arrest you unless they see you drinking or doing something illegal. In Virginia, if you're under the age of 21 and blow ANYTHING it is illegal. Several other kids were arrested at my prom for blowing even low amounts into a Breathalyzer.

Also, knowing I might get caught or my parents might have to come pick me up never stopped me or any of my friends from drinking underage (I just waited until I was 19, but some of my friends that had greater access to alcohol started at 15-16). When you're 17-18 you don't think you will get caught or anything bad will happen from your actions (even though you tell your parents you do know all the consequences that would happen).

We did have an after prom (I went home after the actual prom), but not many kids go. 80% of people at my school drove (as not many kids wanted to shell out $200-300 just to ride in a limo) to the prom.

There's not much school officials can control that happens on prom night. They can't prevent kids from going to after parties or hotels with their girlfriends/boyfriends. I think it's a good idea that they try to control the little bit that they can have control over.

One kid did get through to the actual prom and had been drinking (they didn't do Breathalyzers to all of the kids just the ones the school officials had suspicions on). In fact, he was still drinking at the prom. He ended up being so drunk he destroyed all of the beautiful decorations people had spent a lot of time and money making/putting together and tried to punch a girl that wouldn't dance with him before he was dragged out by police. Even if they don't drive, drinking has a serious impact on other kids well being and prom experiences and themselves