It’s that time of year again: students are making plans for prom night, now through mid-May. Did you know that 70% of teens expect to drink and drive on prom night? The legal drinking age is 21. Where do you think children get alcohol on prom night? And what will you do to protect your child from being influenced to drink alcohol?
As adults in their lives, we owe it to our children to not only make them aware of the dangers of drinking but we also need to be there to support them and encourage them to make the right choices, especially on prom night when there will likely be peer pressure. In addition to resources that may be available at your child’s school, there are several promotional campaigns to prevent underage drinking and driving on prom night. Here, we take a look at a few of the campaigns and at the end of the article, we share some links to resources, be sure to check those out as well.
Safe And Sober Public Service Announcement
(sponsored by Daggett Shuler)
MADD BuzzFree Prom Night Campaign
M.A.D.D. Buzz Free Prom Campaign from Kim Tierney on Vimeo.
A note from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools on Prom Night Safety
Prom safety is an important discussion to have with your child. Here are a few tips for parents:
- Make sure your child has a precise plan for the evening and that you are aware of the details.
- If your child is attending a post-prom party, know the location and check it out ahead of time.
- Know who is going to be driving. For limo services, check their policy on allowing alcohol in the vehicle.
- Discuss prom rules (both yours and the school’s) with your child and the consequences for violating them.
- Communicate frequently with other parents and school officials—kids often make last minute changes to the plan.
More Resources For Safe Prom Night
(Click the links below to access more resources)
- For Teens: Take The Safe and Sober Pledge To Be Drug and Alcohol Free On Prom Night
- Safe And Sober Posters, T-Shirts Videos and More
- USA Today Warns Temptation High for Drunk Driving in Prom, Grad Season
- Parents, Don’t Let Prom Night Turn Deadly (Today Show Special Feature)
- Keeping Prom Night Safe and Alcohol-Free (Car Breathalyzer Article)
- How A School In South Carolina Is Working To Prevent Drinking On Prom Night
- Students In Oregon Taking a STAND Against Drinking On Prom Night – 10 Tips for Parents & Adults
- Google Search Results For “Don’t Drink and Drive Prom Night” Produces 3.18 Million Results
We know it takes a community of teachers, neighbors, family and friends to work together to prevent underage drinking and driving. As DWI service providers, we also play an active role to provide alcohol education and prevention resources to teens and young adults. Together, we can make prom night safer.