Breathalyzer planwill probably be modified

MILFORD — School administrators are eyeing revisions of a proposed breathalyzer policy, including abandoning plans to use an “invasive” breathalyzer at social events.

Administrators say they are still fine-tuning revisions to the initial proposal, but plan to ask the Board of Education to approve a policy that would only allow the use of passive breathalyzers at high school dances this year.

Each high school holds four to five dances a year. Under the proposed plan, all students at high school dances would have to submit to a passive breathalyzer before admittance.

Administrators added they would like to use the passive breathalyzer during the school day or at events where there is reasonable suspicion that a student may have been drinking.

Superintendent of Schools Harvey B. Polansky said despite talk about using the passive breathalyzer at all social events, including sporting contests, it will not happen this year.

Michael Cummings, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, said plans to use an active breathalyzer, which involves a student blowing into a device, when there was suspicion a student was drinking, are likely to be scrapped.

Cummings said research shows that neighboring communities prefer the passive as opposed to the active breathalyzer because it is less “invasive” and it gets results.

“The passive (breathalyzer) meets their need, why go further?” Cummings said.

The passive breathalyzer requires students to speak his or her name into a device, which would register whether they had consumed any alcohol.

“This is the fairest method and does not single a person out,” Cummings said of using the passive breathalyzer on all students entering a dance. “It’s proven to be the most effective deterrent.”

Cummings said the administration is also looking to include in the policy the ability to use the passive breathalyzer if there is suspicion a student is intoxicated at school or an event.

Cummings said the likely revisions are a reflection that the administration is trying to be responsive to the concerns raised by the school board and the community over the draft policy.

At a meeting last month, parent leaders and board members expressed concerns about the use of breathalyzers on all students at social events.

Worries revolved around the invasive nature of blowing into a breathalyzer.

Administration officials said last month they are seeking the new policy in an effort to combat teen driving accidents. The test shows that a student has been drinking.

Typically, students who admit to drinking later recant and it’s hard to enforce discipline, officials said.

Cummings said if the school board approves the revised policy at its 7 p.m. Aug. 18 meeting at the Parsons Government Center, it could be in effect before the homecoming dance in October.

Polansky stressed that the growing trend statewide is for communities to adopt the passive breathalyzer policy.