Parents should take an interest and make prom, graduation a time to be alcohol-free

By Don Heinzman

Prom and graduation are times when research says high school students are going to attend parties and drink alcoholic beverages.

One student says flatly that an after-prom party is no different than other parties when most kids drink; many get drunk.

Prom night is the one last big party where all the kids get together and most dress up to have a good time and look their best.

While some kids may rent a limousine, some will drive to and from the prom and the after-the-prom party usually at someone’s home where kids will drink, sometimes when parents are present.

Parents and school officials have every reason to be concerned about prom and graduation parties because the research poses a serious message. The question isn’t if they’ll drink, but how much, where and will they drive drunk?

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse reports that almost 80 percent of today’s high school students have tried drinking. In Minnesota, one survey showed that 78 percent of high school seniors use alcohol; two in five are binge drinkers and abuse in Minnesota is higher than the national average.

Drinking alcoholic beverages for Minnesotans is responsible for 41 percent of all deaths from falls, 30 percent of drownings, 25 percent of boating deaths, 45 percent of fire fatalities, 40 percent of rape offenses and 50 percent of those who commit sex abuse crimes. Half of all teen automobile crashes involve a driver who has been drinking.

Drinking places teenagers in other dangers. The Nemours Foundation reports that teens who drink are more likely to be sexually active and to have unsafe and unprotected sex.

Students say they drink to loosen up and have fun at the dance; one says she attends a pre-prom party where they can drink.

Some parents have given up on trying to keep their kids from drinking at parties and some have even favored a controlled party where kids can drink. A study by the Minnesota School of Public Health and Safety shows that teens whose parents and friends provide alcohol for parties are more likely to drink, get into traffic crashes and participate in a violent activity or theft.

Can parents do more than just wring their hands and worry?

They must take an interest and tell their teenagers they are concerned about their drinking alcohol and its consequences.

They can make a plan on what will happen prom night, determining who will drive where and setting a curfew.

They can contact other mothers and fathers of their child’s friends if they know of parties where alcohol will be served; many times parents are unaware.

Finally, they can tell their kids to attend an alcohol-free event in the community and volunteer to work there or make a donation.

High school proms should be memorable, fun events for the right reasons, and parents taking an interest in them can go a long way toward their having a safe and alcohol-free time.