Students at Lawrence’s two public high schools won’t be given Breathalyzer tests when they go to prom — but officials say they’ll be alert to alcohol use.

“We greet all the kids at the door,” said Free State High School Principal Joe Snyder. “We don’t use the Breathalyzer; that’s not in the district policy. But we take a few minutes to talk to them, see how they’re doing.”

Authorities trying to curb underage drinking have an uphill fight. In a 2004 survey by the Greenbush Institute, nearly two-thirds of Douglas County seniors said they’d had an alcoholic beverage during the year.

“I think it’s a problem that’s been persistent,” Snyder said. “We try to handle it case-by-case, as we go along.”

And if a student is suspected of drinking at prom?

“We call the parents,” Snyder said. “We call the parents to come pick up their child.”

Lawrence High School’s prom will be 9 p.m. April 30 at the Kansas University Ballroom, followed by an after-prom party at LHS. Free State High School’s prom will be 9 p.m. May 7 at Abe & Jake’s Landing; there is no after-prom party.