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Students at Northern Secondary School have one more test to pass before they can attend their senior prom this year: a breathalyzer.

For the first time at the Toronto school, students will be forced to used the device before being allowed into the May 29 party. Those who fail the test will not be allowed to enter and their parents will be called to pick them up, said principal Ron Felsen.

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The policy has been adopted because the school had problems with students drinking at past proms and school dances, he said. “My first year here, I had to shut down a dance because students were drunk.”

Mr. Felsen said he tried a number of approaches to address the problem, including reaching out to parents, but nothing worked.

Jamie Bussin, a lawyer and parent of two Northern students, complained to the school about the new policy and says it is a legal concern.

“It’s a slippery slope,” he said. “If we allow little infringements of rights when on health and safety issues, where does it end? Would you allow blood tests or urine tests for kids to get into the dance?