Principal Brian Salzer notified parents via his e-newsletter of his intention to crack down on potential alcohol and drug usage at the school's prom, which will be held at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel on June 5. South also hosts a post-prom event back at the school from midnight to 4 a.m.
"It is very important to us that students refrain from the use of alcohol and drugs during these events; therefore, it is important that I share with you that we will have a 'Breathalyzer' type instrument at Prom," Salzer wrote. "This instrument along with 'mouth swabs' used to detect marijuana will be used on students randomly and/or if we have a reasonable suspicious they are under the influence."
If alcohol or drugs were detected, school officials would contact parents and notify police, Salzer wrote. The student would not be allowed to participate in the evening's events.
Last week, Salzer offered a written retraction.
"There will be no random testing or required use of either (the Breathalyzer or swabs)," he wrote. "The police will not be involved unless the student is also in possession of an illegal substance."
As in the past, Breathalyzers will be on hand at both the junior semiformal and the senior prom, "however, these will be used only if a students is suspected to be under the influence of alcohol. Submitting to a test of the Breathalyzer is optional and available for a student to demonstrate his/her influence."
Mouth swabs to check for marijuana use will also be available, but not used randomly.
"Three people trained in detecting signs/indicators that a student is 'high' will observe the student," Salzer wrote. "If it appears that the student is under the influence, a parent will be contacted and they will have the opportunity to take the swabs home and administer the saliva test if they choose."
Salzer could not be reached to explain why he reversed the policy.
Superintendent Jeffrey Young said this is the first time he had heard of random Breathalyzer testing in a Newton high school, although "the use of a Breathalyzer, and having one on hand, is pretty standard fare."
Young declined to comment further, saying he does not usually play a role in how a principal chooses to handle a school dance.
Chris Ott, a communications manager for the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, said the ACLU has had a variety of concerns about the constitutionality of such testing. "It does sound like it was a wise move to make the change (Salzer) made."
Ott said such a policy is the wrong way to send a message discouraging teen use of drugs and alcohol and raised concerns about the possibility of faulty test results.
"Underage drinking can be a problem, but if you're setting up a sort of Checkpoint Charlie to get into prom, students are just not going to go to events with testing or (adult) supervision," Ott said.
