Barrington High students will face breath tests before dances
5:42 PM Mon, Jul 13, 2009 | Permalink
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By Linda Borg BARRINGTON, R.I. -- Barrington High School students will have to submit to a breath test at school dances this fall, a decision that has the full support of both the local police chef and the superintendent. Under the previous policy, students were asked to submit to an alcohol-breath test if school officials felt that there was probable cause that a teenager had been drinking. Now, all students will have to be tested before they are permitted into a school social function. "I totally support it," said Supt. Robert McIntyre. "More than anything, it's about student safety. I'm not sure if it will or it won't save lives. But we are trying to create a safer environment for school dances." School board Chairman Jim Hasenfus said that the four members who attended the June 18 meeting approved including this new language in the high school student handbook, "absent any objection from legal counsel." "If using a Breathalyzer can save lives," he said, "I think it's something we need to do at this point. The safety of our students has to be of paramount concern." In January, Police Chief John LaCross proposed moving to a mandatory alcohol-testing policy after five students got drunk at a high school dance and one student wound up getting very sick at a nearby coffee shop. Barrington has been struggling with the issue of underage drinking, which has been implicated in the deaths of four teenagers in recent years. 
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Way to go! It is a very good move on the schools part. Of course that is until the ACLU comes in and says something. In this case public safty is more important. I have worked in a school system for almost 20 years and have seen that school dances are great for school spirit but are all too tempting for underage drinking.
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"Police chef"? What, are you trying to take your hatchet piece from the North Providence Fire Department over to Barrington?? ROFLMAO!!!
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forget breath tests they are all on ecstacy now major problem now
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I think that this idea makes sense, but what about before they leave the dance? Students could easily bring in flasks and drink while there, now they're leaving drunk and driving. It just seems that if it's not done before and after, it doesnt make much sense.
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I hope to God that some of those "over-indulgent" Barrington parents don't call in the ACLU to protect their precious cherubs.
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I heard that The Barrington Teachers were asked to set the example and also take the breathalyzer but they refused stating that it is unconstitutional to make an adult submit to a chemical test.
Way to go, Barrington Teachers!!!
Way to set the example!
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How many of you who support this law/rule would also willingly submit to a breathalyzer yourself if involved in a MV accident? Even if you'd had a few pops?
I know the kids are underage, but it is illegal to drink and drive, I haven't seen an outpouring of votes for legislators who want to put in new laws forcing breath tests and jail time for those who flunk.
So, do you believe in civil liberties, or not?
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