Keep Kids Alive At Prom And Graduation

As we approach the warmer months, teens turn towards thoughts of prom and graduation. These are teens' traditions to celebrate "coming of age." However, these times of joy easily could turn dangerous and deadly.

Accidents spike during April, May and June, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) a federal agency.

Automobile crashes are the leading cause of death among teens, and approximately 36 percent of traffic deaths among 15-20 year olds are alcohol-related, reports the organization Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).

Contrary to what many believe, underage drinking is not a "rite of passage" during prom and graduation. There are even some parents who believe that it is better for teens to drink alcohol than to use drugs. They're sending a confusing message to teens.

Even more confusing for teens are those adults who host parties where alcohol is provided, because they think they can better protect teens in supervised situations. The Drug Free Action Alliance’s, “Parents Who Host Lose the Most” campaign aims to highlight this issue.

But these beliefs are not supported by the research. Underage drinking is both illegal and risky. The National Institutes of Health released a study that found heavy alcohol consumption harms brain development in teens. The region of the brain that inhibits risky behavior is not fully formed until age 25, and any alcohol-related damage incurred at a young age can have long-term effects.

Researchers have found that  teens who start drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence and two and a half times more likely to become abusers than those who delay alcohol use until age 21.

Later on this month, the Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation and the Niles Police Department will be working hard to keep alcohol out of the hands of those under the age of 21, through “Project Sticker Shock.”  The goal is to highlight that providing alcohol to persons under the age of 21 and to use a fake Identification card is both Illegal. Project Sticker Shock will work in conjunction with our local liquor establishments and retail sales location to reduce the availability and use of alcohol by those persons under the age of 21.

 Alcohol is a powerful, mood-altering drug that contributes to lack of judgment and poor coping skills. Under-age drinking can lead to destructive behaviors such as physical and emotional violence, sexual mistakes or misjudgments, accidental injuries and deaths and alcohol overdose.

 The Niles Police Department wants to help teens remain safe during this season of proms and graduations, we recommend parents and other caregivers do the following:

• Have regular and open communication with your teens about drugs and alcohol.
• Discuss rules and expectations for proms and graduations.
• Do not supply drugs or alcohol to your teens.
• Know who is driving and what the plans are.
• Don't rent hotel rooms for your teens.
• Communicate with other parents about their expectations for proms and graduations.
• Stay up until your teens are home.
• Supervise and be involved at proms and graduations.

The research shows regular communication between parents and teens has a positive influence on the decisions teens make. Teens are more likely to live up to the parents' expectations and be less likely to drink, use drugs and engage in sexual behavior when open and regular communication is occurring.