Prom and Graduation season is here again-this is a time for celebration. Our teen’s are becoming young adults and are ready to conquer the world. This is a happy time for them, marking the end of the school year (the end of high school for the seniors), and the beginning of summer. Unfortunately, these joyous occasions sometimes involve underage drinking which can result in tragedy. During the month of April many communities conduct anti-drinking campaigns aimed at curtailing alcohol use before, during and after these events. Some groups utilize some form of “sober contract”, a promise that students sign agreeing to stay alcohol and drug free during the prom and graduation season. Larger cities, such as New York and Los Angelas have gone as far as, at the event itself, have begun using breathalyzers to test the blood alcohol content of prom-goers and turning away at the door those who have been drinking.
A survey of 11th- and 12th-grade students finds that 90 percent believe that their peers are more likely to drink and drive on prom night, but few think that the behavior carries a high degree of risk.The survey of more than 2,500 students, conducted by Liberty Mutual and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), found that 79 percent of students expected their classmates to drink and drive on graduation night. More than one in three students also said their parents had let them attend a party knowing that alcohol would be served.
"Newspapers, television, YouTube and Facebook are rife with tales of tragedy from reckless driving on prom and graduation nights, yet an 'it won't happen to me' attitude continues to be so pervasive among our teens. Add to the alcohol factor distractions like texting or talking on the cellphone while driving, or the greater likelihood of multiple people in the car, and the crash potential is very real.
Statistics show that more than one-third of youth under the age of 21 killed in alcohol-related fatalities in 2001 died during the months of April, May and June, prom and graduation season. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2001 alone, 2,950 children under the age of 21 died in alcohol related traffic fatalities – 1,012 of these died during the months of April, May and June. A survey conducted last year by The Century Council revealed that more than half of the respondent’s ages 13-20 years-old reported they are drinking alcoholic beverages.
As parent's, we have a resposibility to talk to our children, set a good example. There are several sites that tell us how and when to talk to them about drugs and alcohol. Here are some safety tips to help make their special night safe.
Travel Safely
- Always wear a seat belt.
- Don't drink and drive.
- Don't ride with a diver who has been drinking.
- Don't allow yourself to be the victim of dating abuse.
- Respect yourself and others, avoid alcohol and drugs.
- Call 9-1-1 if you or someone you know is being abused.
- Be sure there will be adult supervision.
- Make sure there is a scheduled end time.
- Go with a "buddy."
- Avoid using alcohol or drugs.
There are so many senseless deaths every year during this wonderful season. Don’t drink and drive we don’t want any empty seats at graduation.
"A child who reaches age 21 without smoking, abusing alcohol or using drugs is virtually certain never to do so."
- Joseph A. Califano, Jr., Chairman and President, The National Center on Addiction and
Links and Resources:
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
Impaired Driving Facts - NCIPC
Focus Adolescent Services: Teen Drinking
Good information. I remember when my kids were in high school. We pretty much had the same rule and guidelines you spell out and they seemed to work for us.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Frank Ruffo