Prom Season: Talking to Your Teen About Alcohol

The perfect prom night takes a lot of planning: The date, the dress or tux, and of course, the after parties. Your teenager plans for a reason – to make the night as special as possible! Your son or daughter has looked forward to it for so long and they want it to be perfect. But do you know what the most important part of those plans should be? Planning not to drink and drive. 

Your teen might say:
"It's just one night."
"Finals were so stressful! I need to relax."
"Everyone else does it. "

However, through the devastation of drinking & driving during prom season parents wish they could turn the hands of time and speak to their child about alcohol instead of saying: "One night was all it took to change everything."

Do You Know the Truth About Prom and Alcohol?

• 90% teens believe their peers are more likely to drink and drive on prom night.
• Only 29% believe driving on prom night comes with a high degree of danger.
• 36% of teens say their parents have allowed them to attend parties where they knew alcohol would be available.
• 14% of teens say their parents have hosted teen gatherings with alcohol.
• 54% of students drank more than 4 drinks on prom night.

Statistics: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

What Parents Can Do to Help Keep Prom Safe

• Know where your teen will be throughout the evening and find out their transportation plans.
• Don't give teens permission to attend a party where you know alcohol may be served.
• Get details about prom events from your child's school.
• Talk openly with teens about the dangers of underage drinking and drinking and driving. Remind them about the people who love them as well as their future dreams – like going to college or pursuing a particular career.
• Tell your teen that he or she can always call for a ride home at any time of the night. It's better for your child to leave a potentially dangerous situation than to stay out of fear of getting in trouble.
• Set firm guidelines and a reasonable curfew. Make sure your teenager is aware of the consequences of violating these rules.
  
• Encourage safe after-prom activities, like an event held at the school or another public venue. Again, be sure you know transportation details.
• Never provide alcohol to your teen or his or her friends at your home, even if you believe everyone is staying the night. Under the Social Host Ordinance, you may face jail time, fines, and criminal penalties for giving alcohol to a minor.

• Never drink and drive, or get into a car with someone who has been drinking. Remember that driving "buzzed" is the same thing as driving drunk.
• Arrange for safe transportation before prom night arrives.
• Plan an after-prom event that doesn't include alcohol, like an after-prom breakfast.
• Don't leave your drink alone--someone may place something in your drink. It's better to be safe and grab a new one.
• Stay with a couple of friends and look out for one another.
• If you see that a friend has been drinking, make sure they don't drive and find a safe way for them to get home.
• If your parent or guardian tries to talk to you about the dangers of underage drinking and drunk driving, listen to them. They just want you to be safe.
  

Sources: MADD, SADD, and THE PARTNERSHIP at Drugfree.org

Drinking and driving is a serious problem all year long. The San Rafael Police Department, the San Rafael Alcohol Compliance Team, and other Marin law enforcement agencies & community coalitions are dedicated to a variety of activities aimed at reducing the number of DUI related tragedies. Be sure to check out these links for more information and resources to stay safe and informed:

The Healthy Novato Project
The Mill Valley Healthy Living Community Coalition
The Novato Blue Ribbon Coalition for Youth
The San Rafael Alcohol and Drug Coalition
The San Rafael Alcohol Compliance Team
The Twin Cities Coalition for Healthy Youth
The Youth Leadership Institute
The West Marin Community Coalition

Learn more about the San Rafael Social Host Ordinance
English - http://www.scribd.com/doc/180037937/FINAL-ACT-palm-card-pdf
Spanish - http://www.scribd.com/doc/189075792/ACT-Palm-Card-en-Espanol-in-Spanish

You can learn more about what we are doing and how you can get involved by contacting Kristen Law at the Marin County Prevention Hub.

The San Rafael Alcohol Compliance Team (ACT) has been created through a partnership with the San Rafael Police Department and the Marin County Department of Health & Human Services to reduce underage and excessive drinking in youth ages 12 – 25.