Study Shows That More Teens Are Likely To Drink On Prom Night

With the end of the school year winding down prom and graduation season are currently in full swing. New research from Liberty Mutual Insurance and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) reveals that "90 percent of teens believe their counterparts are more likely to drink and drive on prom night and 79 percent believe the same is true for graduation night." This is according to a national survey of more than 2,500 eleventh and twelfth graders. CADCA's (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) website states that "there were 380 teen alcohol-related traffic deaths during prom and graduation season (April, May and June) in 2007, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports 1,009 total teen fatalities (alcohol and non-alcohol-related) in motor vehicle crashes during those same months in 2008." Parents may be enabling their children to drink and drive during these special occasions. More than one in three teenagers say that their parents have allowed them to attend parties where alcohol is known to make an appearance. During this special time in your child's life, make sure you talk with them about the dangers of drinking and driving and drug and alcohol abuse. Visit the Marshall County Family Resource Network online to download a safe party toolkit, or to get more information on how to discuss this topic with your children.