San Diego County high school seniors are gearing up for their proms and grad nights. Administrators say they're gearing up too. Some plan to use alcohol detection devices, while others plan to bolster police presence at big events. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
Schools in Poway and San Marcos use breathalyzers at their dances. And for the very first time, Valley Center High School used so-called “alco-sensors” at its prom. Officials say they're using the devices because this is the most dangerous time of the year for high school seniors.
So far San Diego Unified hasn't used any devices. Officials there are hope their year-long alcohol prevention campaign will make a difference.
Even so, district spokeswoman Sulema Franco says a regional council on substance abuse is making sure police will be in full force.
Franco : This council went ahead and notified the local police stations of when the schools were having their prom dates so they can be extra aware and hopefully have extra police enforcement during that time.
It was just last week when a group of Riverside County high school seniors died after being involved in an accident on their way to a grad night event in San Diego. Several open cans of beer were found in their car.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
