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Make a Pact for a Safe Prom The By Morgan Nail Spring isn't the only season kicking into high gear. Prom is right around the corner and that means fancy dresses, tuxedos, corsages, dinner, dancing and more. But what if prom night fuses drugs, drinking, driving under the influence and unprotected sex with so-called, fun? Experts say parents tend to be too naïve during prom season, often struggling with the fact that prom just isn't what it used to be – a harmless night of dancing and an innocent first kiss. To- day, teens are faced with a whole new world of pressures: the prom and after-party could be equipped with piles of colored tablets, alcohol and other illicit substances. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), teen prescription pain medication abuse is a growing problem. After marijuana and alcohol, prescription drugs are reportedly the most commonly abused substances by Americans age 14 and older. So, why is teen prescription drug abuse popular on prom night? LockTheCabinet.com said many teens believe that prescription drugs are safer to use than illegal drugs, simply because they were prescribed by a doctor. However, prescription drug abuse is just as dangerous as alcohol consumption and other illicit drug use. Many teens also believe that prescription medications aren't addictive when, in reality, narcotic painkillers like OxyContin and Vicodin have an extremely high potential for addiction. Additionally, since prescription drugs are rela- tively easy to get and conceal, they've become increasingly attractive. Many times on prom night, parents will be looking for signs of alcohol intoxication as opposed to the kind of high that comes from prescription drugs. Equally alarming as prescription drug abuse on prom night is the possibility of underage drinking, driving and unprotected sex. Recently, The Huffington Post recently published alarming statistics online that show how serious this behavior is: ● Teen traffic deaths during prom weekend are higher than at any other time of the year. ● According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), for the past several years during prom weekend, approximately 300 teens have died in alcohol-related car accidents. ● Also according to the NHTSA, one in three children under age 21 who died in alcohol- related accidents died during prom and graduation season. ● An American Medical Association study reported that 10 percent of parents be- lieved it was appropriate and safe for underage teens to attend both prom and graduation parties where alcohol is served, if a parent is present. ● Most date rapes and sexual assaults against girls are alcohol and drug-related. ● A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services national survey reported 39 per- cent of high school senior boys considered it acceptable to force sex on a girl who is intoxicated by alcohol or high on drugs. In order for both parents and teens to feel safe on prom night, The Huffington Post suggests using a four-step system: The Talk, The Ride, The Connection and The Offer. Step 1: The Talk Begin your pre-prom talk with your children by emphasizing that you want them to have a won- derful, memorable prom. Keep that wish as a central focus throughout your discussion. They need to give you their complete itinerary for the evening, including who they will be with, where they will be going before and after the prom and phone numbers where you can contact them. Then, come to a fair decision on a curfew, based upon your child's past level of responsibility in this area. Express your concerns about their health and safety and explain to them why prom night makes it understandably more difficult to make safe and smart decisions. Ask them how they plan to keep safe and avoid actions they will regret. Role play some predictable dilemmas and decisions they may face and reinforce your belief in their character and in their ability to act re- sponsibly. Step 2: The Ride Regardless of how many times you have talked about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, emphasize that these dan- gers are particularly high on prom night. Ask them to commit to a substance-free prom night. If they are not driving, be aware of who is driving, and agree not to ride with anyone under the influence. Require their promise on these rules without any negotiation. If your teen is taking a limo, speak directly with that limo company owner about their company's alcohol and drug policies. Do business only with a company/owner who forbids the presence and consumption of alcohol and other drugs in their vehicles. Step 3: The Connection If your child is not returning home right after the prom, he or she should be reachable at all times. You should also be reachable at all times. There should be no doubt where your kids will be and who they are with. Post-prom, parent-child check-in calls make sense. Establish a few mandatory call-in times with your teen. Make sure they leave with a fully charged cell phone, thereby establishing a guaranteed connection. Step 4: The Offer Give your child the unconditional option of calling you at any time for help or advice. That includes an offer to pick them up at any time of day or night, with a promise not to shame or humiliate them in front of others, nor to condemn or shame them once you get them in the car or back home. There will be ample time to discuss the night's events and the lessons learned. As- sure them that you always welcome any opportu- nity to support and help them make smart decisions. Unconditional offers of help and advice will reinforce open and honest communication.

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