Would you have been willing to take a Breathalyzer test on your prom night?

That’s an issue students from Westward High School, located in suburban Boston, are now facing, according to an April 21 MSNBC.com article. As the United States continues to take away certain civil liberties to protect the nation from terror, Westward students feel their privacy is being invaded. In light of increased fighting and shouting matches Westward students have experienced at school dances, the administration felt compelled to take this rather invasive solution.

Though I would usually side with a more liberal point of view, I am going to actually agree with the Westward High School administration. Young teens need to understand they’re not quite grown-up yet.

Young teens are already overly dramatic without the amplification alcohol brings. And as much as teens try to seem rebellious, they try to emulate the actions of their adult counterparts. So it’s not unexpected that these teens scream “violation of privacy” as adults feel the same way about illegal search and seizure. What the students do not seem to realize is most of them aren’t even considered adults, and many of their “rights” have already been violated. It’s common knowledge there are schools that use video cameras to keep students from stealing, using drugs or alcohol on the premises, or even to keep the students from skipping school all together.

You may be asking yourself, “what about the parents?” Shouldn’t they be monitoring whether their kids are drinking, and taking their own disciplinary actions?

“More moms and dads are working between the busy retail hours of 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. and later,” said Leslie Abrahamson, community outreach coordinator at the YWCA Child Care Resource and Referral Program in Glen Ellyn.

I believe that schools, therefore, have more time to parent children and young teens. Not to mention, parents who trust the schools they are sending their kids to will do whatever it takes to protect them from harm. One Westward High School student, according to MSNBC, was rushed to the hospital as a result of alcohol poisoning at one of their school events. What, short of death, could be more harmful than that?

Young teens, soon to be young adults, should realize their best interests are in mind when restrictions are put on them. Not to mention, it is still illegal for people to consume alcohol until the age of 21. I hate to sound like a parent here, but there are millions of adults that do not know how to put down their drinks. What do you think a teen (a moderately experienced drinker at best) will do? Besides, there are plenty of opportunities to drink illegally once you go to college. At college, you don’t have to worry about those uncomfortable suits, renting a tux, or even taking a Breathalyzer test.

Columns reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Northern Star staff.