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.
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