That’s the argument Alexander Argyropoulous made.

[Santa Barbara High School] senior Alexander Argyropoulos said alcohol testing encourages students to use drugs that cannot be detected with the Breathalyzers. Drinking, he said, is “better than possibly trying cocaine.”

Keep in mind, they’re doing this at the optional after school dance, not in math class.

Bill’s mind is boggled.

1. Control over underage drinking is so poor that the school will conduct breathalizer testing.

2. Random testing assumes guilt rather than innocence.

3. Students think that it is better to be assumed drunk and be randomly tested

4. Students will find something else instead of alcohol if they do it.

5. Drinking is better than drugs.

6. And the local anti-drinking group wants something done, translation–more rules, enforcement, and intrusion into rights. Their end justifies any means.

Insignificant Thoughts sees it as more erosion of rights.

Drinking may not be a part of growing up, but let’s take his first point… If the school starts testing for beer, people will start smoking pot. I actually think he’s right, believe it or not. But let’s not kid ourselves here; if they can do a breathalizer without cause, what’s to stop them from taking hair, urine, or other samples testing for other drugs?

Here’s the venerable ACLU’s guide to student rights.

Skippy the Bush Kangaroo has some personal experience at SBHS.

Liz thinks their doing the right thing.

That is EXACTLY what the school SHOULD be doing. At my high school, our SADD president died when driving home from a party. Yes, he was drunk.