Before Darien teens such as Sami Testa and Garren Fritts walk into the prom at the Stamford Hilton Hotel on Friday night, they must submit to a breathalyzer test and have their bags searched for alcohol. Some students view the practice as a necessary step to have their night of fun while others see it as an invasion of privacy.
"I get why they do it," said Testa, a junior. Breathalyzer tests at dances have been standard practice at Darien High School since she was a freshman and she can understand the importance of keeping kids from drinking and driving. "It doesn't really bother me that much."
Fritts, on the other hand, does not agree with the practice. "I am strongly against it. I feel it is an invasion of privacy and a sign of mistrust, he said. It's not going to keep kids from drinking after the prom."
Students blame the breathalyzer tests for decreased attendance at dances in recent years. "No one goes anymore. I would say the numbers have been cut in half," said Libby Bora, a senior. She doesn't think the Breathalyzers are a bad idea but finds the testing of every student to be inconvenient.
"It's annoying, she said. It takes a while to get in, and everybody looks dumb all dressed up and blowing into a Breathalyzer."
Tyler Corcoran doesn't see it as an invasion of privacy because the students are under 21 and should not be drinking anyway.
"Kids should know that when they're in school and attending school events, it's a different ball game," he said. He said he would be crushed if he didn't get to go to his prom because of alcohol. "I've spent so long in the school system, and this is my last year in Darien. Why would I want to blow something I've looked forward to for so long?"
Do you think breathalyzers at the prom are necessary or a sign of mistrust? Weigh in on the conversation in the comments below, on Facebook and on Twitter.
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