Safety Concerns Warrant Prom Breath Tests

Safety Concerns Warrant Prom Breath Tests
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While it may be unusual around these parts, there is plenty of precedent for what administrators and decision makers at James M. Bennett High School in Salisbury did last weekend when they suspected a group of prom-goers had been drinking.

The school decided to have the group undergo a breath test to confirm what was obvious — the kids had been drinking and at least a few of them were obviously inebriated. These were underage teens who chose to drink before prom and by their actions it was obvious to the authority figures at the event.

Yes, the chances are good they were not the only ones who had consumed alcohol prior to prom, but they were the individuals who were foolish enough to attract enough attention of supervisors.

“At the prom Saturday night, administrators and law enforcement personnel suspected alcohol use by seven attendees due to the attendees’ behavior and an odor of alcohol. A breath-testing device was used, and the device confirmed that alcoholic beverages had been consumed. The seven people, including one college student and six James M. Bennett High students, were not allowed to remain at prom, and parents of the high school students were contacted to pick them up,” a statement from Wicomico County Public Schools read. “The Code of Conduct prohibits alcohol use or possession by students as a violation of public health and safety, and mandates a minimum penalty of five days of suspension plus five hours of mandatory counseling and 45 days of suspension from extracurricular activities.”

Some in the Wicomico community took umbrage over high school students be subjected to a breath test, but we think any concerns of personal rights being violated are trumped by the need for safety, which must come first.

If teens are suspected of consuming alcohol and could potentially be driving, the only inexcusable option would be ignoring the situation and letting the students leave prom without any consideration for their well-being. That’s when memorable nights become tragic and lives are changed forever. That’s what this decision may have prevented and that’s not being overly dramatic.

About The Author: Steven Green

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The writer has been with The Dispatch in various capacities since 1995, including serving as editor and publisher since 2004. His previous titles were managing editor, staff writer, sports editor, sales account manager and copy editor. Growing up in Salisbury before moving to Berlin, Green graduated from Worcester Preparatory School in 1993 and graduated from Loyola University Baltimore in 1997 with degrees in Communications (journalism concentration) and Political Science.