The presence of breathalyzers at high schools prior to special events is a growing trend in the United States, and northwest Ohio is no exception.

For years, many schools have tested students who appear to be under the influence at functions like dances and sporting events. Some schools have now taken that a step further.

Clay High School in Oregon has had breathalyzers at school dances in the past, but last Saturday’s homecoming was the first time random breath tests were conducted. All students were subjected to a random breathalyzer test upon entry.

Each entrant was required to roll a pair of dice, and those whose total added up to two were required to take a breath test. Of the 860 students who attended, 27 were tested. None of them were found to have been drinking.

CHS Principal Jim Jurski said that was the goal.

“We were absolutely hoping for zero positives,” he said. “That’s what happened, and I was very happy about that. Hopefully the breathalyzer had something to do with that.”

The tests were administered by Oregon Police. Students who were breathalyzed went into a separate room.

Mr. Jurski said students were “really great about it” and nobody refused a test. A few students volunteered.

“The biggest thing I was trying to do was give the kids a reason to say ‘no,’” Mr. Jurski said. “I’m just trying to keep the kids safe and give them a reason where, if they’re in a situation they probably shouldn’t have been in, they can say, ‘Hey, there’s going to be a breathalyzer. I don’t want to take the chance. I’ll pass.’”

Mr. Jurski said the reaction from parents was mixed, with a few complaining the dice element was promoting gambling. He said the high school will continue to randomly test at school dances, but the dice component could be swapped out for another random-selection method.

Students who flunked the breath test would have been subjected to school discipline, but the police would not have been involved.

Perrysburg High School has similar practices in place for school-sponsored activities.

Students have been subject to random breathalyzer tests at dances since 2009, and home football games since 2014. PHS Principal Michael Short said the response from parents has been positive.

“They have basically said they appreciate us trying to protect their kids,” Mr. Short said. “Most of our kids have said they don’t mind the search. A lot of them joke that they want to be breathalyzed.”

Officials estimate attendance for each dance and randomly test a percentage. At this year’s homecoming, 60 were given a breath test.

At home football games, students are required to reach into a bag containing 20 chips. Those who draw one of two red-colored chips are required to take a breathalyzer before entering.

Mr. Short said he has yet to see a student test positive. He’s been told the breathalyzers have “cleaned up things” that were happening in the stands.

“Most of our kids have said they don’t mind the search,” Mr. Short said. “We didn’t have what I would call a pervasive issue [with alcohol], but it was pervasive enough where we felt we needed to give students an opportunity to say ‘no.’ It gives them the opportunity to say, ‘I’m not drinking tonight because I could be breathalyzed, and I’m not going down that road.’”

Teens found to have been drinking would be denied entry to the events, and their parents would be called to pick them up. Police will not get involved.

High schools in the Toledo Public, Washington Local, Maumee, and Sylvania school districts do not perform random breathalyzers at events. The Ohio Department of Education does not keep track of how many districts administer breath tests at school functions because each district is able to draft its own procedures.

The U.S. Supreme Court has heard several cases pertaining to search and seizure and the Fourth Amendment, and how it applies to high school students. Mr. Short said he thoroughly researched the issue to make sure nobody’s rights would be violated and anything they put in place would stand up.

Both administrators made it clear the top reason for doing the tests is safety.

“There are two days where I’m very concerned about our students: homecoming and prom,” Mr. Jurski said. “For obvious reasons, those are the two longest nights of the school year for me. I’m just trying to keep our kids safe.”

Contact Jay Skebba at jskebba@theblade.com, 419-376-9414, or on Twitter @JaySkebbaBlade.

First Published October 22, 2017, 4:30 p.m.