MANY PROMGOERS FACE TEST: BREATHALYZER

Schools Crack Down on Students Who Drink Before Entering Dance

High school prom memories are made of fancy dresses, sleek limos,
elaborate after-parties and, increasingly, Breathalyzers.

Sycamore and Moeller high schools are the newest entries this year in
the growing list of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky high
schools that use Breathalyzers at proms. Nationally, more high schools
are using the breath-alcohol testing device at after-hours functions.

It's one more deterrent to underage drinking, school officials say.
Schools warn students up front about the Breathalyzer with letters and
announcements. Some also print that warning on prom tickets.

Sycamore will have five Breathalyzers at its prom tonight, where the
school resource officer and teacher volunteers will randomly test
students as they enter Paul Brown Stadium and the after-prom at school.

Paul Payne, Sycamore's school resource officer and a Montgomery Police
officer, pushed the breath-test idea to school administrators because
he saw a disturbing trend in underage consumption.

"This last year, we've seen such a rise in underage arrests in
Montgomery youth. There's been more than ever this year. I'm getting
sick and tired making that phone call 9 or 10 o'clock at night, 'Come
get your son or daughter. They've just been arrested for underage
consumption.'

"In the past, we've almost threatened the kids we're going to
Breathalyze, but we never did it. I decided this time to be proactive
and follow through on the threat."

Breathalyzer tests, which measure blood-alcohol concentration, can
show a false positive if, for example, a student has used mouthwash or
chewing gum. At Sycamore, Payne said, students will sit 20 minutes and
be tested again.

Usually, one to two students have been arrested for underage drinking,
a misdemeanor, at previous Sycamore proms, Payne said. Students
arrested are normally released to their parents, depending on their
demeanor. The offense is punishable by six months in jail and/or a
$1,000 fine. The school will also suspend students for 10 days, with a
recommendation for expulsion.

Reaction from students to Breathalyzers at the prom has been
mixed.

"It just seems like the school is trying to make sure we get to prom
safe and have a safe night," said Ben Newland, a 17-year-old senior
who is attending Sycamore's prom. "I guess this is the best way they
thought of doing that. I don't really like it, but I'm not going to be
opposed to it or refuse a Breathalyzer."

At Moeller's prom Friday night, a Breathalyzer was available if there
was a suspicion that someone was under the influence. Gail Dorsey,
student assistance counselor at the all-boys Catholic high school in
Kenwood, said school officials decided to have a Breathalyzer at the
prom because many other parochial schools do it to fortify their
messages against teen drug and alcohol use.

"Our boys haven't had a difficult time with the Breathalyzer. When
they go to dances at different schools, that's part of the culture, so
they're used to it," Dorsey said. "They know that we're very serious
about this. We're consistent with other schools, and this is not
something that is allowable. If they choose to abuse a chemical, such
as alcohol, there are consequences and we want to make sure they don't
put themselves in a dangerous situation."

Some local public and private high schools have used Breathalyzers at
the prom and other school dances for years.

Benjamin van der Horst, an 18-year-old senior at Seven Hills Upper
School, thought it was a good idea to have a Breathalyzer at his prom
and at other dances.

"Under no circumstances should students come to prom under the
influence of alcohol, and having the threat of being Breathalyzed
discourages students from drinking before attending the event," he
said.

But not everyone agrees with the practice of testing students at
school functions, including Scarlett Swerdlow, executive director of
the nonprofit Washington-based Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

"What concerns us most about this type of policy is the message. It's
a very clear message that the school assumes students are guilty until
they're proven innocent," she said.

"Rather than play these type of 'gotcha games,' schools should be
working with students, parents and teachers to create real drug
education and real drug counseling that have real results that benefit
everyone involved and can build a foundation of honesty and trust."

[Sidebar]

SOME SCHOOL POLICIES ON BREATH TESTS

Here's a sample of high schools that use breath tests at the prom.
Most also use them for other school dances.

Boone County High School, Florence: Uses a hand-held breath test that
measures blood-alcohol concentration. Students are tested if there is a
suspicion of alcohol use.

Cincinnati Country Day, Indian Hill: Has used a Breathalyzer for about
three years. The Breathalyzer is used randomly.

Conner Senior High School, Boone County: Students are tested if there is a
suspicion of alcohol use.

Highlands High School, Fort Thomas: Has used a Breathalyzer for several
years. Students are checked only if there is a suspicion of alcohol use.

McAuley High School: Has used a Breathalyzer since 1999. It's used randomly.

Milford High School: Has used a Breathalyzer and will use it this year if
there's a suspicion a student has been drinking.

Reading High School: Has used a Breathalyzer for several years. Students
are tested only if there is a suspicion of alcohol use.

Roger Bacon High School, St. Bernard: Has used a Breathalyzer for about
seven years. Students are randomly tested.

St. Ursula Academy, East Walnut Hills: Has used a Breathalyzer for at least
five years. Students are randomly tested.

St. Xavier High School, Finneytown: Has used a Breathalyzer for about five
years. Every St. X student at the prom is tested, but their dates are not
tested.

Seven Hills Upper School, Madisonville: Has used a Breathalyzer for five
years. Students are tested randomly.

Ursuline Academy, Blue Ash: Has used a Breathalyzers at prom for about
seven years. It's used randomly, but all girls who arrive after the cutoff
time are Breathalyzed.

Turpin High School, Anderson Township: Tests are done randomly or if
there's a suspicion of alcohol use.