The upcoming homecoming dance on Saturday, Oct. 5 will feature a new device – the breathalyzer.
Student Council revealed in their Sept. 24 presentation about Homecoming activities that Grand Junction High School’s upcoming dance will have police checking for intoxicated students using the device. This is the first school year where breathalyzers will be involved in school activities.
“Even if it doesn’t work, if someone’s obviously suspicious it’s easy to tell if they’re drunk or not, especially teenagers who probably cannot handle their liquor,” said GJHS junior Amirra Dolobacs.
A breathalyzer is a device that police officers use to check if someone is under the influence. This is commonly used while the person is driving or in public areas. It can detect intoxication from a breath sample as the breathalyzer detects traces of alcohol from it.
The GJHS staff members supervising the dance will be unable to check students for intoxication. Students who refuse a test will be removed, as it is against school rules to refuse such tests.
“You will definitely be removed from the dance if you do refuse to test because when you’re on private school property they have the right to test you,” said GJHS senior and Student Council President Dermot Lynch.
Many things can cause a higher BAC level other than alcohol. This includes energy drinks due to small amounts of alcohol in them via fermentation.
Do you want to have fresh breath before HOCO and use mouthwash? Unfortunately, many mouthwashes contain small percentages of alcohol for preservation. This little bit of alcohol lingers in your system and could later trigger BAC levels on a breathalyzer.
Even if you only have a tiny bit in your system that was detected, you will be banned from all school dances for the remainder of the year. Careful which kind of mouthwash you use!
