Positive Nicotine Test To Keep Student From Prom

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HARTFORD CITY, Ind. -- The Indiana Civil Liberties Union plans to take the case of a Blackford High School student who was banned from the senior prom after testing positive for nicotine in a random drug test.

Rob Mahon, 18, did not smoke on school property and is upset that he's being punished for an activity that is legal for someone his age.

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But school officials said Mahon (pictured, left), who is the editor of the school newspaper, knew the rules prohibiting drugs, alcohol and nicotine before he agreed to the testing that's required for those in extracurricular activities.

ICLU attorney Ken Falk believes that Mahon has a case.

"It (the policy) became a problem when you're being punished for doing something off-grounds which is legal," Falk said. "This is as if the school said, 'If you read a certain book at home, you'll be punished at school.' It's ridiculous."

Community reaction to the school's decision is mixed, but some teachers believe the punishment is too harsh.

The prom is scheduled for May 4, but Falk is hopeful an agreement can be reached before then.