PRINCIPAL SAYS YES, THEN NO, TO DRUG TEST

Newton - Newton South High School's principal told parents last week
that he planned to randomly test students for alcohol and marijuana
at next month's prom, but has since abandoned the idea.

Principal Brian Salzer notified parents via his e-newsletter of his
intention to crack down on potential alcohol and drug usage at the
South Prom, which will be held at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel
June 5 from 6 p.m.-midnight. South also hosts a post-prom event
back at South from midnight-4 a.m.

"It is very important to us that students refrain from the use of
alcohol and drugs during these events; therefore, it is important
that I share with you that we will have a 'Breathalyzer' type
instrument at Prom," Salzer wrote. "This instrument along with
'mouth swabs' used to detect marijuana will be used on
students randomly and/or if we have a reasonable suspicious
they are under the influence."

If alcohol or drugs were detected, school officials would contact
parents and notify police, Salzer wrote. The student would not be
allowed to participate in the evening's events.

But on Monday, Salzer offered a written retraction.

"There will be no random testing or required use of either [the
Breathalyzer or swabs]," he wrote. "The police will not be involved
unless the student is also in possession of an illegal substance."

As in the past, Breathalyzers will be on hand at both the junior
semi-formal and the senior prom, "however, these will be used only
if a students is suspected to be under the influence of alcohol.
Submitting to a test of the Breathalyzer is optional and available
for a student to demonstrate his/her influence."

Mouth swabs to check for marijuana use will also be available, but
not used randomly.

"Three people trained in detecting signs/indicators that a student
is 'high' will observe the student," Salzer wrote. "If it appears
that the student is under the influence, a parent will be contacted
and they will have the opportunity to take the swabs home
and administer the saliva test if they choose."

Salzer could not be reached by the TAB prior to deadline to explain
why he reversed the policy.

Superintendent Jeffrey Young said this is the first time he had
heard of random Breathalyzer testing in a Newton high school,
although "the use of a Breathalyzer, and having one on hand, is
pretty standard fare."

Young declined to comment further, saying that he does not usually
play a role in how a principal chooses to handle a school dance.

Chris Ott, a communications manager for the American Civil Liberties
Union of Massachusetts, said the ACLU have had a variety of concerns
about the constitutionality of such testing, adding "it does sound
like it was a wise move to make the change [Salzer] made."

Ott said such a policy is the wrong way to send a message
discouraging teen use of drugs and alcohol and raised concerns about
the possibility of faulty test results.

"Underage drinking can be a problem, but if you're setting up a sort
of Checkpoint Charlie to get into prom, students are just not going
to go to events with testing or [adult] supervision," Ott said.