Charlotte school says random alcohol testing paying off

CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — A Charlotte school told Eyewitness News that testing students for alcohol at all dances and some school games has paid off.

Charlotte Catholic High School principal Jerry Healy said the school has been giving Breathalyzer tests to students since 2006.

He said since then, 99-percent of students tested pass. So far this year, only two have been caught.

"Too many people have died in this community. We want to make it safe for kids," said Healy.

The school hires off-duty CMPD officers to patrol the games. At times, they have pulled Charlotte Catholic students aside for random alcohol testing.

"They talk to them, pull them aside, make them go outside," said student Patrick Chaulas.

School leaders said they checked with the Catholic Diocese before enacting the policy. Healy said it's perfectly legal to test students, but at games, testing has to be fair.

"When you do that, you have to be careful and make sure you do it on everyone, which means adults too," said Healy.

Students at Charlotte Catholic aren't just subjected to Breathalyzer tests. They also have to undergo mandatory drug testing for drugs such as marijuana and cocaine. Healy said the tests are given randomly by student identification number every three weeks.

WSOC