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Breath tests planned on prom night
Most students seem OK with procedure
Published Thursday, April 26, 2007
Kevin Sonstebo
To ensure an alcohol-free night, law enforcement will conduct random breath tests of students attending prom, but some students don’t see it as in infringement of their rights.
“It’s basically a good thing,” said junior Amanda Miller.
“It’s a possibility at all our dances so we expect it,” junior Kaitlan Auck said.
Detective and Fergus Falls School Resource Officer Kevin Sonstebo uses a handheld unit that provides a light indication as to alcohol levels if there has been consumption. If it provides one of those indicators, he will contact an on-duty officer to administer the intoximeter preliminary breath test and issue citations when necessary.
“Last year we came to an agreement to take a pro-active approach and do random tests, as well as test if there is cause to believe a student has been consuming,” he said. “The opportunity is there to obtain and use substances. It is very accessible to individuals under 21.”
“If people are going to drink, they’ll do it after the dance,” Miller said.
Sonstebo’s No. one concern, as he told students last Friday during a pre-prom assembly, is their safety, whether in school or not.
“We do not want anyone to be a fatality in our community. If it does happen it will be someone you know, are related to, or are close to,” he said. “If you hear of instances that raise a concern please contact someone who can help.”
Call Det. Sonstebo at 998-0544, Ext. 2507, or e-mail at ksonstebo@fergusfalls.k12.mn.us, if you know someone who may have a substance abuse problem.
“I want this to be a community-driven proactive approach instead of a reactive one,” he said.
The Fergus Falls High School prom is planned from 7 to 11:55 p.m., Saturday, May 5. The Grand March begins at 7 p.m., followed by the post-prom party at the Fergus Falls ice arena.
To help parents keep their kids safe, School Resource officer Kevin Sonstebo offered the following suggestions:
• Communicate with your children.
• Have clear expectations of your children.
• Know who your children are with and know those individuals. Make phone calls and ask questions.
• Know where they are at all times and where they are supposed to be.
• Ensure they take responsibility for their actions and know there are consequences, for inappropriate/illegal behavior, whether at home/law enforcement/etc.
• Ensure there is a “Way Out” (or plan) if they get into an uncomfortable situation.
• Support good decisions and correct those that are wrong.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by 1125thmp (anonymous) on April 26, 2007 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As the testing is to be random and within the area of school jurisdiction it seems fair to assume some sort of accountability should be taken for the students care and safety, with some implied accountablity of all parties invovled. 'The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence cautions that the risk of testing students for illicit drugs, “will be understood (as a) signal that alcohol and tobacco are of lesser danger.”' I find it interesting that such an inference of predetermined guilt in regards to a students personal sobriety, has the effect of mobilizing an authority such as the police to do such actions that should to many be a violation of some of the most basic personal freedoms that exsist in this country.
Of course the term alarmist or out of context may be implied to these and other such responses to what some deem as 'necessary' or benign in nature. Demuring to caution and self determination would be a far less imposition, especially if such topics are being discussed with students. Why doesn't the news report from the opposition or those in the minority? Your article does contain in its very headline the idea of 'personal infringment' showing that in its wording perhaps the very notion to some is implied by its inclusion. Odd that the only response given in the article are from a few who individuals who support the issue. The article should give pause to others asking about what is necessary and right. Asking questions against it should be just as intrusive into peoples lives to force the discussion of the issue as a community and the responsible parties involved, parents, civic leaders, law enforcement as the very act that will be so invasive in its application. This may have been discussed or debated, though I see no evidence supporting this conclusion.
I simply as a citizen feel that only when the individual rights are upheld can we together as a community adequately give judgement on issues that support one action over another, one view point over another, or one conclusion over an other. I stand by the laws implemented by the representatives I have elected to draft such measures, I can do no other. I simply present my personal opinion in a manner I hope treats the situation with the dignity and reservations it engenders. Whom ever reads this I hope looks at the article that motivated me to respond and puts forth there opinion on the matter.
Posted by smiley55 (anonymous) on April 27, 2007 at 12:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Prom Night Random Checks:
Once again give the local gestapo a little more power to interfer with what should be a fun night and make it a night of student rights violated by some big, dumb, goon (Kevin Sonstebo) who could serve the school better by sitting home watching S.W.A.T. movies instead of letting students be students. These kids have to grow-up fast enough in this fast paced world. Taking their right away to have a little fun is just what they need in a over regulated, youre rights taken away world! The School and Kevin are sticking their noses in where it doesn't belong. Can't you trust these kids? After all they are just a step away from adulthood. Is it any wonder why so many people these days hate authority figures.
You are on the border of breaking the law. They are still minors and adult laws do not apply to them until they are of legal age! My advice to the School and Kevin is maybe all of you should be the one's acting a little bit more mature. As far has for your'e hand held held gun, you know where to put it!
Posted by kmiles (anonymous) on April 27, 2007 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow. That's pretty much all I can say to your comments smiley55 - are you an angry student?? "Adult laws do not apply to them until they are of legal age..." Exactly. They are not legal age, which means the law applies directly to them and they shouldn't be drinking. It's as simple as that. If a high school student decides to break that law, why shouldn't they have consequences? You call it having a little fun? Because they are "just a step away from adulthood," they are not legally allowed to have a little fun, and probably aren't mature enough to know when just a little fun can turn into a lot of trouble. Your argument contradicts itself - you say they're not adults, the laws don't apply, but yet they are adult enough to do adult things. If you're mature enough to do it, you better be mature enough to face the consequences.
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