Breathalyzer tests in school

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/10/foxborough_plan.html

I saw this on HLN and looked up the story.Â The school plans to admin these tests in the school or at school activities.Â The parents mostly seem to agree with it but the local ACLU is against it.Â Why?Â Here is the reasoning:

"Breathalyzers only drive kids to use drugs, instead of booze, so they won't get caught. Or they might drive them to go places where they won't be observed by parents, she said."

So, something that can identify a problem shouldn't be done in case it drives the kids to take other drugs?Â In my experience, kids who drink at a young age will try other drugs for that high also.Â They will also do other activities that are dangerous to themselves or others.

If they find a child who is drinking they can maybe help that child, but if you ignore it on the off chance the child or others could try to hide it more or try other things, you already lost that child.

Comments: 21

Michelle C. Oct 12, 2009, 2:47pm UTC

is the aclu in with aa or something?? even if it helps one kid; it's a good thing.

Sheryl L. Oct 12, 2009, 2:59pm UTC

They are an org that, well, I am not sure what they do but complain about things.

Michelle C. Oct 12, 2009, 3:45pm UTC

i used to think the aclu was a good thing. in the past 5 years, they seem to be butting into things that make no sense!!

Sheryl L. Oct 12, 2009, 3:47pm UTC

thats so true.

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Sarah (I want points) Oct 12, 2009, 2:56pm UTC

I don't know. It seems like there's always a way around everything. The bottom line is, if someone wants to do it, they will. No matter the consequences. Still that's no reason not to test.

Sheryl L. Oct 12, 2009, 3:00pm UTC

if one child with a drinking problem is identified and that child can get help for it, then it has done good. Those who will sneak off to hide the problem would do so anyway.

J. Reid Oct 12, 2009, 5:14pm UTC

Foxborough has had this problem for decades and if it were just one H.S. kid with the problem that would be THE big news--most of the kids there are high or drunk!

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Marsha C. Oct 12, 2009, 4:58pm UTC

so test for drugs too

Sheryl L. Oct 12, 2009, 5:04pm UTC

The aclu is against that also. Their logic is, If more black kids are tested than white kids then its racial profiling. And to test the kids is going against their rights to privacy.

J. Reid Oct 12, 2009, 5:12pm UTC

Not many Blacks in Foxborough!

Sheryl L. Oct 12, 2009, 5:19pm UTC

They would find some reason to be against any kind of testing, I have heard them complain about things like that before and their logic is so way out there.

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J. Reid Oct 12, 2009, 5:11pm UTC

This drinking in schools is a long time issue here and mostly in areas of Massachusetts which have more conservative communities. Note; I said conservative not religious which is what most suburban areas focus on. Foxborough is or was a dog, horse racing area and the home of The New England Patriots football stadium.

That is a huge amount of male macho-ness -enter drugs and alcohol!

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Jennifer Neff Oct 12, 2009, 6:06pm UTC

I think it's just sad that they found a need to do these in the first place.

dreama e. Oct 12, 2009, 8:04pm UTC

I agree with you

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Larry H. Oct 12, 2009, 8:06pm UTC

sounds like they are trying to prevent it from happening..

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John Rebel Oct 13, 2009, 2:01am UTC

Testing children, and adults for that matter, for drugs and/or alcohol is personally intrusive and a clear example of people propagandized into believing that government intrusion into our lives is OK. It isn't.

Sheryl L. Oct 13, 2009, 9:29am UTC

So, let kids come to school drunk or high? Or for that matter let a co-worker come to work that way and endanger everybody? Businesses and schools have every right to expect sober people there and to make sure it stays that way.

John Rebel Oct 14, 2009, 6:32pm UTC

Try learning to parent properly Sheryl

Sheryl L. Oct 14, 2009, 7:17pm UTC

I did a very good job with my children, Thank-you very much. Out of four kids none have gotten into trouble, or drink excessively. They are all hard working and good parents themselves.

But, there are many people out there that dispit good parenting or don't have good parenting who get into trouble. Their irresponsibility can be a danger to others and if they ask for a drug or pee test at school or work, I would give it or expect my kids to. Those who don't do those things have nothing to fear. Those who complain the most must be hiding something.

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Risa G. Oct 28, 2009, 10:07pm UTC

That is going a bit far IMHO.

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Breathalyzer tests in school

Comments: 21

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