Parents Who Host, Lose the Most (Especially during Prom and Graduation Season)

This is a guest blog post by Phillip Lester, Student Assistance Counselor for Columbia High School in South Orange/Maplewood

It’s prom and graduation season – a time for celebration that is too often marred by the frequently fatal consequences of illegal underage drinking. One bad decision can result in tragedy for the young person, as well as his or her family, friends, and our entire community.

The theme “Parents who Host, Lose the Most” is used by many communities in hopes of producing a countywide initiative that aims to reduce underage drinking. Approximately 65 percent of teens obtain the alcohol they drink from their parents, friends’ parents, siblings, or older friends, with or without permission. The good news is that among 10-18 year olds, 65 percent cite their parents as the leading influence for them not to drink. Today we are asking for everyone in the community to help make prom and graduation night safe for teens by following these tips:

• DO NOT serve or allow alcohol at any party you are hosting: an adult who provides alcohol to a minor is breaking the law and risking that teen’s life. The legal drinking age is 21.
• For parents and guardians: KNOW where your teenager is attending a party; VERIFY there will be parental supervision, and that it will be alcohol-free. Make it clear that you do NOT approve of them drinking alcohol. Make sure you keep up with your teen’s plan for prom and/or graduation night as they continuously change.
• EDUCATE yourself on the risks associated with underage drinking and its proven harmful effects on the still developing brain. The brain is maturing until the mid-20’s; students who wait until age 21 to drink are 84 percent less likely to develop an addiction than those who start earlier.
• ENCOURAGE your seniors to attend their high school All Night Graduation Celebration by supporting it through donations or your volunteer time that night. Call your local high school for the contact person.
• Parents should REMIND their child that alcohol consumption before, during or after the prom is prohibited and violations will result in serious consequences. A young person who displays signs and symptoms of being intoxicated on the way to the prom or upon arrival to the prom will not be allowed into the function but instead will have to wait for their parents to come and pick them up. In the case of emergency situations, such as signs of alcohol poisoning, they will be taken by ambulance to the nearest emergency room.

Parents who provide alcohol for any underage children under the notion of preventing them from obtaining it illegally or to appear like the “cool “ parent are violating the law and not doing children any favors. They should also be reminded that in the case of hosting parties, such parents can be held liable for any student who has an accident after leaving their home where the party was hosted. For that reason in particular, parents who host stand to lose the most. Please help protect our young adults’ bright futures by providing a safe, alcohol-free season of celebrations in our community.