STERLING — Sterling High School is planning to use a Breathalyzer at evening events like the homecoming dance on Saturday, Sept. 29.
According to a notice on the district website, re1valleyschools.org, the individual that has provided drug dog support in northeast Colorado has discontinued that service and Sterling Correctional Facility has discontinued their drug dog program. “Both are big losses for schools in Logan County that utilized those services in proactive ways to keep alcohol and drugs out of schools,” the statement reads.
SHS had used the drug dog services to provide a deterrent for drugs and alcohol at evening events.
As a result, SHS and its Building Accountability Committee are proposing the use of a breathalyzer to curtail problems.
“It’s a safety issue,” Superintendent Betty Summers said.
Law enforcement is available at sports events when there is a potential problem, but they aren’t available when the schools hold dances, where this safety related problem might surface.
Many schools use this system as a safety precaution for potential questionable behavior at dances and evening social activities connected to schools.
SHS is very interested in utilizing the system for the homecoming dance. There is nothing in district policy that would not allow this system because of the intent to provide a safe school setting for all students, according to the district.
Summers told the RE-1 Valley Board of Education at a workshop earlier this month, the breathalyzer would only be used “if someone seems to be not behaving appropriately.”
Callie Jones: (970) 526-9286; cjones@journal-advocate.com. Follow @Cjones_JA on Twitter.
