Point Pleasant Boro Schools Adopt Policy To Detect Alcohol Use

POINT PLEASANT BORO – The Point Pleasant Boro School District has adopted a new policy to use a device that can detect the presence of alcohol.

The new policy will be in effect for the Point Pleasant Boro vs. Point Pleasant Beach wrestling match on Friday at Point Pleasant Beach High School, the district said.

AAA says passive breath alcohol sensors (PBAS) are small electronic devices, usually built into police flashlights or clipboards, that can detect alcohol in the ambient air.

The sensors are quick, objective and provide another source of detection which may aid in the identification of alcohol use, AAA says. PBAS devices do not require “active” cooperation by the student because the device can be placed within several feet to obtain a reading.

If the PBASD screening indicates the presence of alcohol on a student, additional screenings will be conducted, the Point Boro school officials say.

If additional PBASD screenings confirm the presence of alcohol on a student, the matter shall be reported to the principal or supervisor and the school nurse or the school physician.

The new policy that was adopted in December says the Board of Education recognizes a student’s abuse of harmful substances "seriously impedes a student’s education and threatens the welfare of the entire school community."

The board says it's committed to the prevention of substance abuse and the rehabilitation of substance abusers by "educational means, but will take additional necessary and appropriate steps to protect the school community from harm and from exposure to harmful substances."

The device may be used in certain circumstances including school-related or school-sponsored events or activities, the district says.

"The purpose for using a PBASD is to protect students who may be under the influence of alcohol (and) other students, staff and community members attending such events and to deter the use of alcohol by students," the district says.

The board authorized the use of the device before, during, and after school activities/events
including, but not limited to: dances, athletic events, proms, class trips, drama productions,
graduation ceremonies or school assemblies.

The device may be used when the principal or supervisor "has reason to believe the use of alcohol by students may be present."

When it is determined that the device will be used, a random number sequence will be selected by the principal or supervisor prior to the event to determine which students in line for entrance will be screened.

"For example, if the number five is selected, every fifth student in line for entrance into the activity/event shall be screened," the district said. "In the alternative, the principal or designee may determine to screen every student in line for entrance into the activity/event."