To the editor:

The recent Sunday editorial addressed the intoxication problem at the Aug. 27 Free State High School dance. While I agree that many students come to Free State dances under the influence – having seen it firsthand – I do not think that stricter measures would solve the drinking problem. Instead, intoxicated students would drive around town or go to country parties and probably get even more intoxicated, either with alcohol or marijuana.

The nice thing about the school dances is that it contains and limits the intoxication of the attendees. No one can bring alcohol or marijuana into the school, and once you leave the dance, you cannot re-enter. So, instead of intoxicated students endangering their own lives, as well as those of motorists on the road, the students make fools of themselves at the dance. Which do you prefer?

If the administration were to require Breathalyzer testing before entrance to a school dance, no one would attend. Student Council would lose money on the dance, leaving less money for senior prom and other student events.

By adopting stricter measures against intoxication, the school district changes the problem from students drinking to what the students are doing while under the influence. Personally, I prefer the first one.

Molly Krishtalka,

Lawrence