Many seniors will drink beyond their limits. Often, they haven't drunk before. Some of them will suffer from alcohol poisoning. Some may die drunken deaths. Some may drink and drive and get killed on the road, or kill someone else.
Schools have worked hard to combat prom-night drinking. But there's only so much they can do. The rest is up to the seniors and their parents.
Experts say that too many parents these days are unwilling -- or afraid -- to set prom-night expectations and limits. Many moms and dads believe that most parents are letting their sons and daughters loose, so why should they hold their kids back?
Prom night is a rite of passage that signals a teenager's entry into adulthood. But that doesn't mean parents should give their teens free rein to come and go or do as they please. Parents should let their kids know that they expect them not to drink. Underage drinking is against the law. Moreover, it's just plain wrong. Parents shouldn't condone it.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving also recommends that parents hire limousines for their kids. This way, parents can be sure their kids don't drive if they drink. And MADD says parents should be sure of where and with whom their kids will be that night, and even the next day. If your teenager wants to go to the beach for a party, drive him or her there. And don't be afraid to ask your child to check in with you via cell phone.
Whatever parents do, they shouldn't host a post-prom party with alcohol. You can get in trouble with the law. You can get sued if something goes wrong. And no matter what, you're sending a signal that underage drinking -- and flouting the law -- are OK with you.
Graduates should remember the prom as one of the most special nights of their lives, not wonder what happened when they blacked out. For the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Guide to Safe Proms, check out www.madd.org/docs/prom-color.pdf.
