Prom and Alcohol Don’t Mix For Teens

by Emily Payne B.A.

As the end of the school year nears, parents who have children in high school know that prom is also right around the corner.

Many adults recognize that prom is often seen as a drinking rite of passage to the majority of teens, as many parents have “been there, done that.” Even the most modest and conservative of teenagers will partake in this drinking ritual on prom night.

But did you know that in 2004 alone, 713 teens died during prom and graduation time as a result of alcohol? Alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents continue to be the leading cause of death in teenagers, and alcohol continues to be the most abused drug, killing more young people than all other illegal drugs combined.

We can prevent our community’s teens from becoming statistics, but parents must be vigilant when it comes to teens and drinking, especially during this celebratory time of year.

Parents have the foremost influence on their child’s drinking habits. In fact, teens whose parents keep close tabs on where they are and who they're with are much less likely to drink. Research from The Century Counsel revealed that 65 percent of teens who drink get their alcohol from their parents and friends.  

Parents, take notice of your own drinking patterns. If a child lives in a home where drinking alcohol is the norm, that child is much more likely to drink and become an alcoholic than those children who live in alcohol-free environments. Underage drinking is preventable, not inevitable, but it is only with the help of caring parents that our community can achieve this.

There are numerous things that you can do to keep your child safe on prom night. Be a nosy parent- the kind many of us detested as teens. Talk to your child’s friends about their prom night plans. Be aware of any discrepancies in the stories.

Talk to their friends’ parents as well. Compare stories to make sure you all are hearing the same plans. Make sure that you know all the “hot spot” destinations on prom night and ensure that your child knows this, so they’ll think twice before engaging in any questionable behavior for fear that you may be making a surprise appearance.

If the kids plan on having a limousine for the evening, take it into your own hands to do the hiring. Check their policy on allowing alcohol in the vehicle. If they allow it, keep shopping. Give the limo driver an extra tip so they will notify you afterwards of any questionable behavior that occurred, and advise them that they are only allowed to go to locations that you have approved.

Staying up until the prom goers’ have returned home may be exhausting, but it will also provide a peace of mind for you, ensuring they made it home alive and sober.         

Find out the details regarding the prom from the school officials. How many chaperones will they have? Will they be on the alert for signs of intoxication? Will they have a bathroom attendant watching for teens that have snuck in alcohol? Will they be providing an alcohol-free post prom party?

You may even be able to help them out by volunteering to chaperone.  You may want to run this by your teen first to come up with rules so they know you won’t be embarrassing them or watching their every move. You may be surprised that they agree to it, providing you keep your promise not to humiliate them.

Talk to your teen about the dangers of mixing alcohol and sex. Remind them that alcohol diminishes judgment which can lead to uninhibited behavior. People who are under the influence frequently do things without thinking about the consequences.

Prom is often a dating situation so be candid with your child about the dangers of integrating intimacy with alcohol. Studies have shown that drinking is strongly associated with unintentional and unprotected sex, not to mention sexual assault. About 50% of reported rapes involved alcohol, therefore remind your child that “no” means “no” and no level of intoxication will prevent a person from being charged with rape.

Are you considering renting a hotel room for your child and friends so they can have an after party? This is never a good idea. There are too many risks associated with that scene-alcohol, drugs, and sex just to name a few. As mentioned before, sex and alcohol can be a dangerous combination, but if drugs like marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, or prescription pills are thrown into the mix, it is a catastrophe waiting to happen. The aforementioned drugs are prevalent among the teens in our community and they are sure to be the perfect party favors on prom night.

If your teen feels that you are butting into their business, remind them that it is not only your right but also your responsibility to know their whereabouts at all times, especially on a night notorious for underage drinking where hundreds of teens die every year as a result. It’s better to be a prying parent than a grieving parent so be inquisitive and caring and make this year’s prom a wonderful night to remember for your teen!