Prom and Graduation time can be a dangerous time for teens.

With the arrival of spring, high school students across the country are preparing for their Junior Prom, Senior Ball and high school graduations.  Though this is certainly an exciting time in a teen’s life, it also presents an opportunity for parents to talk with their teen about underage drinking. Surveys show that 68% of teens list their parents as the NUMBER ONE influence on their decisions surrounding drinking, and teenagers who have open communication with their parents are less likely to engage in risky behaviors. 

This prom/graduation season, I would like to remind parents of some key underage drinking facts, and offer some suggestions that families can use to ensure their teen’s safety.  First, parents should know that it is illegal to knowingly allow or host a party where alcohol is consumed by minors, regardless of whether it is on private or public property. The recent arrest of a parent in South Windsor for hosting an underage drinking party certainly reinforces this.   Connecticut law also states that anyone who provides alcohol to minors may be fined, imprisoned, or both.  The law holds both adults and minors accountable for the serious problem of underage drinking. 

Even when you are not providing alcohol for your teen and their friends, they can still be at serious risk.  According to The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, “Alcohol related car accidents spike during the months of April, May and June each year, coinciding with the peak months for high school proms and graduation parties.”  A nation-wide survey commissioned by Liberty Mutual and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) showed that 90% of 11th and 12th graders believe that their peers are more likely to drink and drive on prom night than on any other night of the year.

 One way to help keep your teen safe this prom/graduation season is to develop a family pledge that every member in the household can read and agree to abide by.  Some key statements you may want to include in the family pledge are:

“Those under 21 will not drink alcohol.”

“Those under 21 will not stay at parties where alcohol is served.”

“I will not ride in cars with a driver who has been drinking.”

“Teens will not allow their guests to bring alcohol into the house.”

“Older siblings will not encourage younger siblings to drink and will not provide them with alcohol.”

“Parents will not rent a hotel room for teens for prom or graduation parties”

“Parents will stay up until teen’s come home”

“Parents will communicate with other parents in your child’s circle of friends” 

I hope that you find these guidelines and suggestions useful.  Please help to keep ALL of our kids safe by acknowledging that underage drinking parties are unsafe and are against the law.  If you would like to learn more about the problem of underage drinking or to get involved, please visit Rushford’s web site at www.rushford.org or call me at 203-630-5357.