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High School Students Forced to Take Breathalyzer for Prom

Posted By: Russ Courtney · 6/20/2012 5:44:00 AM

For students at Malvern Collegiate, a ticket to the prom this year only goes so far.

Not only will students have to show up to the King Edward Hotel this Friday with a ticket, they'll also have to come to the event sober in order to get in the front door.

Students at the Malvern prom will be subject to a breathalyzer test in order to get in and they'll be booted out if they've had one too many.

Students had to take the test to get into last year's prom and off-site dances for several years.

It's not the only school either, Birchmount Park C.I. and Humberside are also testing students.

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  1. Crystal posted on 06/20/2012 07:51 AM
    Maybe this is surprising to everyone but, it is not a new concept at Malvern Collegiate. I had my prom in 2004 and we were also subject to the breathalyzer test before we were granted admission to the event. At the time I thought it was a huge insult but knowing the drinking issues in the student community there I think it was a wise choice from a legal perspective at the school. The administration is making it clear that they do not condone the behavior. We had a great, highly respected teacher at Malvern who REFUSED to chaperone prom anymore after one too many trips to the Emergency Room with a student to get her stomach pumped. Truthfully what will happen is the students will come sober, stay for a small portion of their prom (until after dinner) and then head off to various after parties at hotels, houses etc. where the binge drinking will occur. The teenage brain is NOT fully developed and the part which makes rational decisions is not formed until the mid-twenties so it’s no surprise binge drinking, and sex occur at prom. I’m pleased that the administration is making it clear that the drinking is not welcome at this school function, there are too many unfortunate circumstances that can occur with underage drinking.
  2. Michaela posted on 06/20/2012 08:53 AM
    like Crystal I also went to Malvern and in 2010 we had a breathalyzer. I completely agree with her posting and it's crazy to even think this article is published. UNDERAGED Students do not have the right to come drunk to a school function, even at our dances (we only had one) they kicked half the people out for being intoxicated and that was when I was in grade 9. If past students broke the rules and had alcohol or were drunk and causing distruction and also creating a bad name for the entire school of course they should have the right to stop it. 99.9 percent of Malverns students are underage therefore they should be punished or not allowed in just on the fact that they are underage and intoxicated. Students don't have to be sober the whole night but have respect for the school that is providing you with your education and a fun night with music and dancing and one drunk person could ruin that by causing a scene or even forcing the police to come and the searching of bags could lead to many more arrests. Why lead to that when just do the breathalyzer, have a nice dinner, do the awards, leave and find a place where it is okay to drink and be rowdy. I don't care when or where you binge drink but have some respect.
  3. GregH_5652 posted on 06/20/2012 09:59 AM
    My initial reaction to this story was head-shaking disbelief but you two have made some great points. However, this seems to be a way of protecting the school only as it is common knowledge that the students will likely overindulge somewhere else after leaving the prom, probably early. I think the idea has merit and sends the right message. Although I think the teachers and chaperones should be able to spot the ones who are hammered right away and leave the ones who have had a beer or two alone.
    1. JR posted on 06/20/2012 10:50 AM
      @GregH_5652 As far as overindulging somewhere else, the school really has no control over that. But at a function that the school is responsible for, it's just sensible for them to make sure that none of the minors under their supervision are doing anything illegal.
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  4. alley posted on 06/21/2012 01:50 PM
    I graduated from Malvern C.I. in the early 80's. Drinking had become such an issue at school events that, at that time, the Board of Ed. banned the teachers from attending the prom & we could not advertise the prom anywhere on school property. Only two teachers were willing to defy the Board's dictate. As a result, I feel that my prom was a colossal fail. A prom is a chance to say good-bye to friends we made in high school as well as to the teachers who influenced us along the way. I am glad that Malvern has instituted this (breathalyzer) requirement because it means that the faculty can once again participate in this event. I have one son who graduated from Malvern three years ago and one who graduates this year. Neither of them felt/feel that this is an issue at all. They don't feel like their "civil liberties" are being violated. There will definately be "after prom parties" where alcohol will be involved, but the school cannot be held accountable for them. That basically is what this is all about. The school is just protecting itself from potential legal issues that can & will arise when underage students consume alcohol.
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