Take a deep breath and think this over

We all care and look out for the safety of children. They’re still

learning the ways of the world and often don’t know what’s best. It’s

simply part of growing up.

So, we create ideas and set guidelines that help us look after

their well-being.

But sometimes, despite our best intentions, we go too far.

And that’s exactly the case as the Newport-Mesa Unified School

District looks into requiring all students to adhere to breathalyzer

tests at school functions like proms and dances.

Most would agree that teens have limited rights. Still, that

doesn’t mean we can violate the rights they do have. They, like all

of us, still have the right to privacy, a right to be considered

innocent until proven guilty, a right to due process.

Drinking and driving is an acknowledged tragedy among young teens,

but other innocents should not have their rights trampled on because

of a problematic few.

Like police agencies, the school district, too, should have

probable cause before using breathalyzers. If the district suspects

someone has been drinking, then, indeed, a breathalyzer can help

prove it.

That’s been the district’s policy for that last two years, and

it’s legitimate.

But school district officials need to stick to that policy.

Will some students still squeak through as a result? Yes. But

there are other solutions that need to be created, explored and then,

perhaps, practiced.

For example, more chaperons can probably help seek out those

problem few. Communication with other students, too, may help find

troublemakers.

Most important of all, though, reinforcing the disastrous effects

of drinking and driving, also, can help prevent many children from

using and abusing alcohol.

But in sum, the district needs to explore different avenues rather

than punish everyone because of a problem few.