Teens Sent Home From School Dance After Testing Positive for Alcohol

A chartered busload of teenagers from who were on their way to Thursday night's winter formal dance never made it inside the venue because 12 of them tested positive for alcohol.

The teens, ranging in age from 14 to 18,  were turned away from the event at Lucky Strike Lanes in the Block at Orange, said Aliso Niguel High School Principal Charles Salter.

"It is policy that all buses, cars, and whatever way students make it to the events are checked for alcohol before they even enter," Salter said. "Last night, our school resource officer, Deputy Rich Franco, did a check inside the bus. They have equipment that scan a seat, or whatever, and it can indicate any alcohol. The kids were taken off the bus, and 12 tested positive. None of the students on the bus made it into the venue."

The students were released to their parents, Salter said.

Salter added that while teen drinking is prevalent in schools across the country, Aliso Niguel High School rarely sees such a problem.

"We have a very boring high school," he said.

 Kaard Bombe, one of the students at the dance, said a busload of about 70 people pulled up at the venue, and when one of the girls who got off appeared to be drunk, everyone was pulled aside.

Even those who hadn't been drinking were sent home because they had all signed an "activities contract" at the beginning of the year, which stated that anyone who arrived in a vehicle that contained alcohol would not be admitted.

"We haven’t had an incident like this in about five years—since the big dance debate," Salter said. "I am always disappointed when my kids use poor judgment. However, they are young, and my goal is to work with their parents to help them avoid such errors in judgment in the future. We will hold students accountable, they will be appropriately disciplined and we will move on with the same love and care for them as always."

Salter wrote a letter to parents after the incident:

Dear Parents,

Last night's winter formal was a very enjoyable event for the majority of the students. Students shared that they had a great time bowling and dancing. Even the chaperones had a good time as the Lucky Strike Lanes at The Block provided a great venue.

However, there was one incident that occurred outside of the venue. A large party bus with approximately 65 students arrived for the winter formal. As our administrators and Deputy Franco did the customary checks of buses, they discovered cups and cans that had alcohol in them. All students who were on the bus were breathalyzed by the OC Sheriff's Department. Those who were detected having consumed alcohol were released to their parents or guardians. In addition, the bus company that was contracted had a policy that if alcohol was discovered on the bus, the driver was to take all riders back to the original destination ....

"In the future, I would strongly encourage parents to avoid using the large party buses ...  what really concerned me was that those kids under the influence of alcohol would have had to drive after the bus dropped them off back at the original destination."