Safe & Sober 4 Prom

Dear Editor,
    Each year, right after spring break, the Underage Drinking Prevention Program (UDPP) begins work on the Safe and Sober Prom/Graduation Campaign. While the safety messages are geared toward students, the frontline folks best positioned to kick start a safe celebration are the adults: the parents and guardians of high school seniors who hold the key for a memorable alcohol and drug free celebration.
    Prom/graduation season is approaching with its accompanying perils of underage drinking and driving. As we move back to the larger, in-person celebrations we are most familiar with, it’s time to upgrade our party traditions, and make sure they do not include alcohol. Parents need honest communication with their teens regarding the legal and social consequences of underage drinking, as well as knowing who their teens are with and what their plans are. This encourages a safe time for all. These are positive steps in reducing underage alcohol use in our community.
    Teens attending private parties often serve as a breeding ground for alcohol-related injuries and car crashes, especially with new drivers. Studies show 60% of parents think their teens would get alcohol from a friend or peer on special occasions such as prom/graduation.
    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports 1 in 3 alcohol related teen traffic fatalities occur during the April-June prom/graduation season.
    Please take the time to talk to your teens about the legal and social consequences of underage drinking. With your help, we can create a community consensus that underage drinking is illegal, unhealthy, and unacceptable.