Looking to the Community for Solutions
Teaching teens to make good judgments and think before they act is a life-long job. But it’s good to know how important your opinion is. “What parents may not realize,” says Charles Curie, Administrator of SAMHSA (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Human Services), “is that children say that parental disapproval of underage drinking is the key reason they have chosen not to drink.”
And yet, you are not the only influence, not by a long shot. Peer pressure, the excitement of the evening, and a hundred other factors come into play when it comes to the drinking, sexuality, and traffic accidents that occur on prom nights all over the country. For this reason, communities around the country are making sure that they do as much preventive work for that special night as possible.
Here are three actionable programs that can help:
Think MADD about Prom: Mothers Against Drunk Driving
“MADD and Nationwide created THINK to save young lives—during prom and all year long,” explains Amy George, Director of Media Relations.
Think.Prom is a peer-to-peer program that encourages students to pledge to be alcohol- and drug-free. The THINK Pledge Pack is designed to be purchased by high schools via fund-raising efforts initiated by the teens themselves. The pack includes awareness posters and pledge cards for prom, and for other potentially difficult occasions such as homecoming or summer vacation. Parents should be sure to read both the parent and student areas of the Think.Prom Web site for optimal insight.
They also offer a PDF that can be printed out and distributed in your school.
Safe Prom Program: Effington County, GA
For the third year in a row, Effington County High School, near Savannah GA, has received a $2,500 grant from the Peace Officers Association of Georgia, to support their safe prom program. The grant is funded by a sponsorship from a local communications company. The funds are used for education programs during the week of prom, including speakers and campaigns against drunk driving, in an effort to support a safe environment at prom. In order to keep students at prom and out of unsafe situations, the high school also raffles cash and gift cards throughout the event. Apparently, this effort has been enormously successful—throughout the three years, not one prom-goer has been stopped for speeding, let alone an accident.
Emma Andi 04/18/08
Here are a few pointers for renting a limo on prom night:
1. Ask the transportation company for the Prom Promise. This is a document that teens sign in agreement of not drinking or taking drugs on Prom night. Many limousine and chauffeured transportation companies offer this contract as a way to give parents an outlet to discuss the importance of safety on Prom with their teens.
2. Give the transportation company a curfew. That’s right; the chauffer will abide by any rules you set forth, and will make sure to pick up and drop off your kids at a designated hour. This is a great way ensure your kids make it home on time, no excuses.
3. Check with industry associations to make sure the company you choose is reputable. Companies who belong to industry associations usually must abide by special insurance regulations and service rules. Reputable associations such as the National Limousine Association (NLA) and the local livery association are good indications that your service provider does their due diligence. If you are still stuck, consult www.nlaride.com. The National Limousine Association’s website lists licensed, properly insured limousine professionals by community. Consumers can compare services, pricing, vehicle availability and receive non-binding online price quotes.
4. Set some ground rules. As the parent, you have the right to tell the transportation company what will and will not be tolerated in the vehicle. For example, you can ask that the chauffer keep the privacy screen down for the entire ride, so that he/she has a full grasp of what your kids are up to. If any of your rules are broken, the chauffer can turn the car around and bring your kids home.
5. Remember to sit back and relax. A reputable company hires drivers with proper training and licensing. Theses chauffeurs are used to carting around excited passengers all day long, so they know how to keep things under control.
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