When the public found out that actress Lindsay Lohan was required to wear an alcohol-monitoring device, or a SCRAM, I noticed many parents were curious about the device for their own children. It's smart for parents to want to monitor if their teen is drinking and driving. However, I feel a better device than a SCRAM is an ignition interlock.

As we have seen in pictures, the SCRAM is worn around a person's ankle. The device tests to see if there is alcohol in a person's bloodstream transdermally, or via the person's perspiration. A SCRAM device cannot give accurate results like a breathalyzer. A lot of issues factor into SCRAM's accuracy such as skin-type and a person's sweating pattern.  In his article, "Alcohol-Monitoring Ankle Bracelets", Attorney Patrick T. Barone believes that the "…detection of alcohol consumption using a sweat collection system can only be regarded as a screening tool to help establish continued abstinence." Above all, the SCRAM cannot give accurate quantities of how much alcohol is in a person's bloodstream, but it can monitor whether or not a person is drinking.

An ignition interlock tests the breath of a driver and, hence, gives more accurate results. Furthermore, if a person were drunk, he or she would be unable to start the car if the interlock does detect alcohol. Because the SCRAM sends in results at predetermined times, there is a gap of time where an inebriated teen driver can potentially get behind the wheel. With an ignition interlock, it is next to impossible for a teen to drive that car while intoxicated.

Finally, I think it is important for parents to remember that SCRAM devices are not really discreet. Even with pants, they are noticeable and it can make a teenager feel ashamed or embarrassed. Dealing with alcohol is a very serious manner and I am sure that anyone at any age would want to keep those matters as private as possible. An ignition interlock is no bigger than a cellphone and looks like any other electronic a person would install in their vehicle (GPS, iPod, etc.)

We all know parents only want the best for their children and monitoring their possible alcohol intake is an important way to ensure teenagers will have a healthy future. It is important for parents to remember that they do have a choice in how they monitor their teens and choosing to do what celebrities do may not be the best choice.

Sources:

Barone, Patrick T. "Alcohol Monitoring Bracelets". 1800DUILaws.com.      <http://www.1800duilaws.com/dui-articles/alcohol_monitoring_ankle_bracelets.asp>

"What is an Ignition Interlock Device?" Smart Start of California.
< http://www.smartstartofcalifornia.com/what_is_smartstart.html>