Schools Use Breathalyzers to Uncover Underage Drinkers

October 2007

Schools around the country are using a new weapon to fight the devastating effects of underage drinking – breathalyzer tests. Orders for the portable alcohol-measuring devices have risen 120 percent in the past four years as many high schools and colleges take a hard line stance against teenage alcohol consumption.

Breathalyzers are becoming increasingly popular at school-sponsored events such as dances and sporting events. Universities have begun to test some students attending college football games, while high schools are administering breathalyzer tests to students attending proms and other school functions.

There are a projected 11 million underage drinkers in the United States, making alcohol the commonly abused drug in the nation. Nearly 80 percent of American high school seniors admit to drinking alcohol, while almost 50 percent say they they’ve consumed beer, wine, or liquor within the past month.