This is a great time of year. Students are preparing to enjoy a long, warm summer. And some of them will mark summer’s beginning by marking high school’s end. They’ll sit through graduation ceremonies, receive their diplomas, smile for pictures, and then celebrate. Let’s help them celebrate safely.

“The Drug-Free Action Alliance reports about 30 percent of parents and teens knew of parents who hosted parties where alcohol was available or served to teens, according to surveys done in 2006 and 2007. Those numbers mirror numbers from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse.” [Source: The Chillicothe (OH) Gazette]

Parents who host these parties put teenagers at great risk for injury and even death. Even if drinking teens aren’t allowed to drive, they can still get hurt either in the home or by drinking so much that they get alcohol poisoning.

On the legal front, parents who host teen parties with alcohol may face prosecution.

As adults who care about young people, let’s commit this graduation season to finding fun, safe, responsible ways for kids to celebrate.

Labels: schools, parental_involvement

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton