ANDOVER, Mass. — Students in this upscale Boston suburb may soon be asked to pass a alcohol breath test before they are admitted to the high school's Friday night dances.
The Andover High School Council, comprised of students, teachers and parents, has recommended the school board adopt the policy as a way of discouraging student drinking and related troublemaking.
"It will eliminate a certain population of the school from going to the dances," said Brian Wivell, student liaison to the school board. He said it might also attract those students who "might have been intimidated or afraid to go."
Principal chris Lord supports the idea, saying student drinking at dances has been a growing problem at the high school. He said students were suspended for 127 days in the last school year for alcohol use, an increase of 34 days from the previous year.
Lord said students will be given a Breathalyzer test before they are allowed to enter the dance site. Parents of those who test positive would be notified. The students would also face suspension and other disciplinary action.
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Details for this story were provided by The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover, Mass.
