Quote:
Originally Posted by A.Marlowe
I still think its a bad idea, if the student is drunk enough to be a problem, they are probably drunk enough that a breathalyzer would only confirm the obvious. If a kids had a few drinks but it isn't causing him to act like a huge drunk, I don't see a problem. I'm sure there is a bit of drinking in every high school, but it doesn't cause a problem most of the time.
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I think I'd have to agree with you Andrew. A blood alcohol level of 0.02 would not actually have any noticable affect on most people (think about it... you can drive without consequence if you blow 0.02). And as such, these students would not actually act out in class due to the alcohol, it would be themselves acting out, essentially
not under the influence.
Since a blood alcohol level of .02 would not be noticable in terms of behaviour, this policy would
assume that any student who blows at this level will
continue to drink either at school, or away from school and continue to attend classes. (Since removing the student on the grounds of being intoxicated would assume a higher blood alcohol level). This is a pretty big assumption, since it's feasible that a student could go home for lunch, have a glass of wine (it's certainly possible, depending on their culture) and then go back to school and blow at or over 0.02.
Also, I'd like to note that for most Amercian states, private
consumption of alcohol by minors is not illegal, it's the
purchase of alcohol that is illegal. Almost all states allow the consumption of alcohol by minors if approved/given directly by certain family members.
Only Idaho, Utah, Arizona, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Vermont, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia ban
consumption outright. In every other state, it is legal for minors to
consume alcohol at least under some circumstances.
Since this school is in Massachusetts, it's not illegal for minors to consume alcohol.
On the arguments presented above, I disagree with the policy. It would be more appropriate for there to be a requirement that the student in question at least
appear drunk, or more objectively, blow at a higher level (like 0.05 or 0.08).