HS uses breathalyzers for students at football game (1 Viewer)

[TheIronSheik]

Link

Big debate where I live right now. Seems a ton of people are upset over this. I'm not sure what all the hub bub is about. Some quick highlights:

- The school handbook says that the school can and will do this.

- They have done it in the past.

- Other schools in the county do the same thing.

- Students were told on Wednesday that they would be turned away if they came to the game and failed the test.

The complaints I've seen range from parents upset about the whole thing, parents being upset they were not told, parents upset they were testing kids that were too young, parents upset because they feel that testing them would lead kids to drive drunk once they couldn't get into the game and so on and so on.

My thoughts are this: Teenagers should not be drinking. And they shouldn't be drinking on school property during a school event. I'm actually happy that the school is looking out for kids. It means they care.

As I said, this has been a hot topic over the past couple days, so I know my thoughts seem to be in the minority. And that's cool. Just wondering how others would feel if there kids were given a breathalyzer test to enter a high school football game, considering the conditions were the same as here.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

My thoughts are this: Teenagers should not be drinking. And they shouldn't be drinking on school property during a school event. I'm actually happy that the school is looking out for kids. It means they care.

Can't argue with that but a breathalyzer seems a bit much.

 

[Cjw_55106]

If its in the handbook, I dont have an issue with it. No, that doesnt mean they can put anything in the handbook and it makes it OK, but I dont see the issue here. Are they picking and choosing kids at "random" to test?

 

[Foosball God]

Overboard and intrusive.

I don't see how this shows the school "cares". They are just turning kids away if they failed, they aren't making sure they get home safely.

 

[Brony]

Man, it's the same bull#### they tried to pull in my day. If it ain't that breathalyzer, there's some other choice they're gonna try and make for you. You gotta do what Iron Shiek wants to do man. Let me tell you this, the older you do get the more rules they're gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin' man, L-I-V-I-N.

 

[TheIronSheik]

If its in the handbook, I dont have an issue with it. No, that doesnt mean they can put anything in the handbook and it makes it OK, but I dont see the issue here. Are they picking and choosing kids at "random" to test?

It's supposed to be random, but I believe the news said they were hitting a rather large swath of kids. So it was random, but almost all of the kids were tested.

 

[Guest]

Many schools have breathalyzers for activities like prom and homecoming dances, but I thought they were only used if someone was acting "suspicious".

Do they test every kid that comes to the game? I would think that would take forever.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Overboard and intrusive.

I don't see how this shows the school "cares". They are just turning kids away if they failed, they aren't making sure they get home safely.

I believe the police were there to help administer the tests. So not sure they were sending them on their way.

 

[McGarnicle]

Went to my wife's nephew's lacrosse game a couple years ago, lots of kids were clearly bombed and were sneaking off into the woods during the game. Made me miss high school.

 

[NutterButter]

Perfectly fine with this. If they're concerned about kids driving drunk if they can't get in, just put the kids that fail somewhere until the parents can come pick them up or arrest them if necessary.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Man, it's the same bull#### they tried to pull in my day. If it ain't that breathalyzer, there's some other choice they're gonna try and make for you. You gotta do what Iron Shiek wants to do man. Let me tell you this, the older you do get the more rules they're gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin' man, L-I-V-I-N.

Dude that's a quote from "Dazed and Confused". If you're going to rip stuff off you should give proper credit.

 

[TheIronSheik]

I should also point out, this isn't a huge school. There are probably about 600 kids in the the three grades in HS. And the football games are not like Friday Night Lights in Texas. I'd make a rough guess and say probably about 200-300 people are attending the game, if that.

 

[Foosball God]

Overboard and intrusive.

I don't see how this shows the school "cares". They are just turning kids away if they failed, they aren't making sure they get home safely.

I believe the police were there to help administer the tests. So not sure they were sending them on their way.

Were there any arrests?

 

[TheIronSheik]

Overboard and intrusive.

I don't see how this shows the school "cares". They are just turning kids away if they failed, they aren't making sure they get home safely.

I believe the police were there to help administer the tests. So not sure they were sending them on their way.

Were there any arrests?

No. They said there were no incidents at all. They credited that to announcing days before in school that they would be doing it.

 

[parasaurolophus]

Overboard and intrusive.

I don't see how this shows the school "cares". They are just turning kids away if they failed, they aren't making sure they get home safely.

So If they had cops there waiting to make sure the kids were not just turned away, would that make you feel better? I suspect it wouldn't.

The kids got there, so obviously safe transportation is already out the window. If a drunk kid falls off the bleachers, what happens to the school?

 

[Foosball God]

In the handbook, it is written the district “reserves the right” to call in police and to use breathalyzers “in a continuing effort to provide safe and drug-free schools.”

Probably should have them all do piss tests too. It's the only way to be sure they're drug free!

 

[parasaurolophus]

Overboard and intrusive.

I don't see how this shows the school "cares". They are just turning kids away if they failed, they aren't making sure they get home safely.

I believe the police were there to help administer the tests. So not sure they were sending them on their way.

Were there any arrests?

No. They said there were no incidents at all. They credited that to announcing days before in school that they would be doing it.

Which I imagine was the exact desired goal.

 

[NutterButter]

In the handbook, it is written the district “reserves the right” to call in police and to use breathalyzers “in a continuing effort to provide safe and drug-free schools.”

Probably should have them all do piss tests too. It's the only way to be sure they're drug free!

Spinal tap or nothing i say

 

[Fat Nick]

I've got no issue with it...if you don't want to be tested, stay away. Simple as that. The rule might result in some drunk kids not knowing where to go, but truthfully, if they got there drunk, they probably aren't concerned about leaving there drunk. School should be able to test whomever it wants if it's suspicious someone is drinking. I don't care if Wal Mart starts brethalizing me to come in there either really. It's their space, their perogative.

 

[NutterButter]

Overboard and intrusive.

I don't see how this shows the school "cares". They are just turning kids away if they failed, they aren't making sure they get home safely.

I believe the police were there to help administer the tests. So not sure they were sending them on their way.

Were there any arrests?

No. They said there were no incidents at all. They credited that to announcing days before in school that they would be doing it.

Which I imagine was the exact desired goal.

Mission accomplished

 

[TheIronSheik]

In the handbook, it is written the district “reserves the right” to call in police and to use breathalyzers “in a continuing effort to provide safe and drug-free schools.”

Probably should have them all do piss tests too. It's the only way to be sure they're drug free!

Why does it bother you that a school is looking out for kids?

As a parent, I'm fine with what they're doing. And if they sent home a slip for me to sign that allowed them to drug test, I'd have it back to them the next day.

 

[pollardsvision]

I should also point out, this isn't a huge school. There are probably about 600 kids in the the three grades in HS. And the football games are not like Friday Night Lights in Texas. I'd make a rough guess and say probably about 200-300 people are attending the game, if that.

Whoa. 600 kids in a 3-grade HS isn't tiny either. For a school that size, I'd still expect a couple thousand people attending the games.

And if there are only a couple hundred people in attendance total, it shouldn't be too hard to spot the drunk kids without the need for a breathalyzer.

 

[NutterButter]

In the handbook, it is written the district “reserves the right” to call in police and to use breathalyzers “in a continuing effort to provide safe and drug-free schools.”

Probably should have them all do piss tests too. It's the only way to be sure they're drug free!

Why does it bother you that a school is looking out for kids?

As a parent, I'm fine with what they're doing. And if they sent home a slip for me to sign that allowed them to drug test, I'd have it back to them the next day.

That's interesting. What are the repercussions if they test positive?

 

[Guest]

Does Pennsylvania have a MHC (minor having consumed) law? In Nebraska a minor can lose their drivers license if any alcohol is detected. They don't have to be in possession and they don't have to be driving.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

If they did this back in HS I would have just skipped that game and gone to a field-party.

 

[Fat Nick]

In the handbook, it is written the district “reserves the right” to call in police and to use breathalyzers “in a continuing effort to provide safe and drug-free schools.”

Probably should have them all do piss tests too. It's the only way to be sure they're drug free!

Why does it bother you that a school is looking out for kids?

As a parent, I'm fine with what they're doing. And if they sent home a slip for me to sign that allowed them to drug test, I'd have it back to them the next day.

That's interesting. What are the repercussions if they test positive?

Not to speak for Sheik, but I'd hope it'd be the same as if they were caught anywhere else out in public drunk or using drugs. I'm not going to bail my kid out and coddle him if he's dumb enough to go down that road. He'll know the consequences early.

 

[Wrigley]

I used to sneak a cooler into our games.

:busted:

 

[Fat Nick]

If they did this back in HS I would have just skipped that game and gone to a field-party.

Probably would've done the same...but to me, that's more respectable than doing it and then going to a school function out in public. Lots of underage kids drink...smart ones don't do it in public.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

If they did this back in HS I would have just skipped that game and gone to a field-party.

Probably would've done the same...but to me, that's more respectable than doing it and then going to a school function out in public. Lots of underage kids drink...smart ones don't do it in public.

I suppose.

I went to a Catholic HS so I'm pretty sure a good portion of the adults (including teachers) probably drank at/before our football games.

 

[Brony]

Man, it's the same bull#### they tried to pull in my day. If it ain't that breathalyzer, there's some other choice they're gonna try and make for you. You gotta do what Iron Shiek wants to do man. Let me tell you this, the older you do get the more rules they're gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin' man, L-I-V-I-N.

Dude that's a quote from "Dazed and Confused". If you're going to rip stuff off you should give proper credit.

Pretty sure that was from "Weird Science". San Dimas High School Football Rules!

 

[Zow]

My thoughts are this: Teenagers should not be drinking. And they shouldn't be drinking on school property during a school event. I'm actually happy that the school is looking out for kids. It means they care.

Can't argue with that but a breathalyzer seems a bit much.

Pretty much. I don't have a problem with a zero-alcohol policy but the expense to implement this program seems to outweigh any benefit.

 

[Fat Nick]

If they did this back in HS I would have just skipped that game and gone to a field-party.

Probably would've done the same...but to me, that's more respectable than doing it and then going to a school function out in public. Lots of underage kids drink...smart ones don't do it in public.

I suppose.

I went to a Catholic HS so I'm pretty sure a good portion of the adults (including teachers) probably drank at/before our football games.

I mean...It's legal for adults to have a drink...maybe not a great idea to drink AT games, but if a teacher came from the bar and was able to drive there legally under the limit, and not be rude/obnoxious so as to bring about a drunk-in-public charge, aside from "role-model" debates, I don't see anything wrong here.

 

[pollardsvision]

If they did this back in HS I would have just skipped that game and gone to a field-party.

This kind of sounds like it works out for everybody.

Nobody in this town gives a #### about the football team anyway. Now even fewer have to pretend to care, and the competing field party will be even bigger.

 

[Zow]

If they did this back in HS I would have just skipped that game and gone to a field-party.

Which would likely release any liability from the school. You may have uncovered a potential goal here.

 

[TheIronSheik]

I should also point out, this isn't a huge school. There are probably about 600 kids in the the three grades in HS. And the football games are not like Friday Night Lights in Texas. I'd make a rough guess and say probably about 200-300 people are attending the game, if that.

Whoa. 600 kids in a 3-grade HS isn't tiny either. For a school that size, I'd still expect a couple thousand people attending the games.

And if there are only a couple hundred people in attendance total, it shouldn't be too hard to spot the drunk kids without the need for a breathalyzer.

A couple of things:

1) 200 kids per class isn't that big. I never said it was tiny, but I don't think 200 kids per class is a huge school.

2) This is Eastern PA, not Texas or Ohio. High school football isn't a huge thing here.

3) The point was not to find drunk kids. It was to find kids who drank anything. Not sure how you can tell if a kid drank one beer or not by looking at him.

 

[TheIronSheik]

My thoughts are this: Teenagers should not be drinking. And they shouldn't be drinking on school property during a school event. I'm actually happy that the school is looking out for kids. It means they care.

Can't argue with that but a breathalyzer seems a bit much.

Pretty much. I don't have a problem with a zero-alcohol policy but the expense to implement this program seems to outweigh any benefit.

What expense?

 

[Zow]

If they did this back in HS I would have just skipped that game and gone to a field-party.

This kind of sounds like it works out for everybody.

Nobody in this town gives a #### about the football team anyway. Now even fewer have to pretend to care, and the competing field party will be even bigger.

Frankly, it amazes me just how much people care about high school football. I love some to an irrational level and probably cared way too much about my own sports in high school. But it still came across as bizarre to me just how many people attended and really cared about the high school football games.

 

[the moops]

Who wants to go to a high school football game, or a prom, or a dance sober? That sounds awful.

 

[Zow]

I should also point out, this isn't a huge school. There are probably about 600 kids in the the three grades in HS. And the football games are not like Friday Night Lights in Texas. I'd make a rough guess and say probably about 200-300 people are attending the game, if that.

Whoa. 600 kids in a 3-grade HS isn't tiny either. For a school that size, I'd still expect a couple thousand people attending the games.

And if there are only a couple hundred people in attendance total, it shouldn't be too hard to spot the drunk kids without the need for a breathalyzer.

A couple of things:

1) 200 kids per class isn't that big. I never said it was tiny, but I don't think 200 kids per class is a huge school.

2) This is Eastern PA, not Texas or Ohio. High school football isn't a huge thing here.

3) The point was not to find drunk kids. It was to find kids who drank anything. Not sure how you can tell if a kid drank one beer or not by looking at him.

WTF?

I grew up in eastern PA. 200 kids would be small to me and while I agree it's not like Texas in terms of level of care, people still really cared and I'd label it a "huge thing".

 

[pollardsvision]

My thoughts are this: Teenagers should not be drinking. And they shouldn't be drinking on school property during a school event. I'm actually happy that the school is looking out for kids. It means they care.

Can't argue with that but a breathalyzer seems a bit much.

Pretty much. I don't have a problem with a zero-alcohol policy but the expense to implement this program seems to outweigh any benefit.

What expense?

You might have a point. Are the breathalyzers being administered by some teetotaller volunteers? Or is it teachers pissed off that they have to burn a Friday on this nonsense?

So, maybe they get the labor for free, and they probably only need 1 breathalyzer for the 12 students that attempt to go to football games now.

 

[pollardsvision]

BTW, when I was in HS, there would've been a totally serious and necessary follow-up question to this announcement....does it apply to the players as well?

The football team wasn't great.

 

[TheIronSheik]

I should also point out, this isn't a huge school. There are probably about 600 kids in the the three grades in HS. And the football games are not like Friday Night Lights in Texas. I'd make a rough guess and say probably about 200-300 people are attending the game, if that.

Whoa. 600 kids in a 3-grade HS isn't tiny either. For a school that size, I'd still expect a couple thousand people attending the games.

And if there are only a couple hundred people in attendance total, it shouldn't be too hard to spot the drunk kids without the need for a breathalyzer.

A couple of things:

1) 200 kids per class isn't that big. I never said it was tiny, but I don't think 200 kids per class is a huge school.

2) This is Eastern PA, not Texas or Ohio. High school football isn't a huge thing here.

3) The point was not to find drunk kids. It was to find kids who drank anything. Not sure how you can tell if a kid drank one beer or not by looking at him.

WTF?

I grew up in eastern PA. 200 kids would be small to me and while I agree it's not like Texas in terms of level of care, people still really cared and I'd label it a "huge thing".

Not sure why you highlighted 1. Seems we are in agreement there. I said it was small and so did you.

As for the "huge thing" comment, I meant compared to places like Texas or Ohio. The school is in a small town. And the town loves their high school. But it's not like places where if you live in the town, you're going to the game on Friday night.

 

[The Commish]

they feel that testing them would lead kids to drive drunk once they couldn't get into the game

How do the parents think they got there in the first place?

Only thing missing here is a "holding tank" for those turned away. No real issue with this as far as I'm concerned.

 

[TheIronSheik]

My thoughts are this: Teenagers should not be drinking. And they shouldn't be drinking on school property during a school event. I'm actually happy that the school is looking out for kids. It means they care.

Can't argue with that but a breathalyzer seems a bit much.

Pretty much. I don't have a problem with a zero-alcohol policy but the expense to implement this program seems to outweigh any benefit.

What expense?

You might have a point. Are the breathalyzers being administered by some teetotaller volunteers? Or is it teachers pissed off that they have to burn a Friday on this nonsense?

So, maybe they get the labor for free, and they probably only need 1 breathalyzer for the 12 students that attempt to go to football games now.

I think it's funny that you think adults are upset because they think making sure teenagers don't drink is nonsense.

 

[MAC_32]

Good thing they didn't do this when I was in high school, half of those attending would have been pinched.

 

[TheIronSheik]

they feel that testing them would lead kids to drive drunk once they couldn't get into the game

How do the parents think they got there in the first place?

Only thing missing here is a "holding tank" for those turned away. No real issue with this as far as I'm concerned.

I would say that this is the dumbest argument I heard from outraged parents, but it was said by multiple parents. It's like they missed the whole point. "Wait. So you're just going to send my drunk kid on his way? Where's he supposed to drink then? "

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

My thoughts are this: Teenagers should not be drinking. And they shouldn't be drinking on school property during a school event. I'm actually happy that the school is looking out for kids. It means they care.

Can't argue with that but a breathalyzer seems a bit much.

Pretty much. I don't have a problem with a zero-alcohol policy but the expense to implement this program seems to outweigh any benefit.

What expense?

You might have a point. Are the breathalyzers being administered by some teetotaller volunteers? Or is it teachers pissed off that they have to burn a Friday on this nonsense?

So, maybe they get the labor for free, and they probably only need 1 breathalyzer for the 12 students that attempt to go to football games now.

I think it's funny that you think adults are upset because they think making sure teenagers don't drink is nonsense.

Hint: testing kids at HS football games is NOT going to keep them from drinking.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Do those parent's that opposed this really think that a Police Officer would just let a kid that failed a breathalyzer test just walk away? I would think at least the parent's would be called or they would be detained by the cops.

Now if they just would have been able to have the game in the old Veteran's Stadium, they would have been able to just keep the kids in the holding cell there!

 

[TheIronSheik]

My thoughts are this: Teenagers should not be drinking. And they shouldn't be drinking on school property during a school event. I'm actually happy that the school is looking out for kids. It means they care.

Can't argue with that but a breathalyzer seems a bit much.

Pretty much. I don't have a problem with a zero-alcohol policy but the expense to implement this program seems to outweigh any benefit.

What expense?

You might have a point. Are the breathalyzers being administered by some teetotaller volunteers? Or is it teachers pissed off that they have to burn a Friday on this nonsense?

So, maybe they get the labor for free, and they probably only need 1 breathalyzer for the 12 students that attempt to go to football games now.

I think it's funny that you think adults are upset because they think making sure teenagers don't drink is nonsense.

Hint: testing kids at HS football games is NOT going to keep them from drinking.

Thanks, Captain Obvious. I was referring to drinking at the game.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Do those parent's that opposed this really think that a Police Officer would just let a kid that failed a breathalyzer test just walk away? I would think at least the parent's would be called or they would be detained by the cops.

Now if they just would have been able to have the game in the old Veteran's Stadium, they would have been able to just keep the kids in the holding cell there!

I believe the plan stated was that they would be detained and the parents called. I don't think they wanted to arrest anyone. Not saying they wouldn't if it came to that, but the goal was not to see how many kids they could arrest.