County Behavioral Health Authorities Celebrating 40 Years of Community Boards & Community Benefits 1968 - 2008

PROM CONVERSATION

Did you know that 58% of traffic fatalities are attributed to alcohol-related incidents involving teen drivers during the weeks of prom and graduation? Prom season is fast approaching and how teens choose to make prom night memorable can be a high stakes decision. For many teens, this time of year offers a taste of new freedoms, and the temptation to engage in risky behavior. We want teens to have a great time enjoying these milestones in life. We also want to make sure that our teens and their friends are not part of that statistic so that they have a future upon which to reflect fondly on their prom and graduation memories. Please be sure to talk to your teens about their celebration plans and be informed. It is also important to note that just asking if there will be parents present is not always sufficient. In a recent national survey of parents and teens, one-third of teen partygoers have been to parties where teens were drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana or using cocaine, ecstasy or prescriptions drugs while a parent was present. By age 17, nearly half of all teens have been at such parties where parents were present while substances were present.

Please do your part to help ensure that Ohio's teens have a fun and safe prom and graduation season this year.