Party and Prom Tips

Whether you're hosting a party for teens, or preparing your teen for a party away from home, good planning can help to ensure that a safe time is had by all

Parents

•	Set ground rules with your teen before the party.
•	Emphasize shared responsibilities for hosting the party. Let your teen know what you expect.
•	Be home during the party. Your presence will help keep the party running smoothly and give you an opportunity to meet your teen's friends.
•	Notify your neighbors that there will be a party.
•	Make a guest list and send invitations. Small groups are easier to handle.
•	Don't serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. It's illegal.
•	Don't have your own alcohol easily accessible in your home.
•	Serve plenty of food and alcohol-free beverages.
•	Notify the parents of any teen who arrives at your party under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
•	Don't be afraid to call the police if laws are broken or the party gets dangerously out of control.
•	Never let your teen have a party when you're away.

AAA offers these suggestions to parents who want to set ground rules for their teens who are going to parties:

•	Know where your teen will be.
•	Verify the party location.
•	Have your teen tell you if the party location changes, or if they leave the party.
•	Know how your teen will get to and from the party.
•	Assure your teen that you or a specific adult friend can be called on for a ride home or that you will pay for an alternate means of transportation, like a taxi.
•	Discuss with your teen the situations in which he or she might need to make such a call.
•	Make an agreement on when your teen is expected home.
•	Stay awake until your teen comes in - or have them wake you up when they get home - or sleep in their bed until they arrive.
•	Obtain the name, address and phone number of the host.
•	Contact the parents of the party-giver.
•	Make sure a parent will be present.
•	Ask and make sure that alcohol and other drugs won't be permitted.

Teens
Prom: PROMise to Keep It Safe
Make sure prom night is a positive experience you'll always remember. Don't drink alcohol or use any other substances that will compromise your ability to make good decisions.

•	Discuss plans with your friends/date ahead of time. Know your agenda and communicate with your parents.
•	Plan ahead what you will say or do if someone offers you alcohol or another illegal drug. Use phrases such as, "No thanks," "Are you kidding? I want to remember this night!" or "Actually, I'd rather have a soda."
•	Know your date before you go. If someone arranged your date, try to take a walk at a park or go for a smoothie before the big night. Both you and your parents will feel better about you staying out late with someone you know.
•	Find out what your curfew is and share it with your friends/date before prom night. Discuss with your parents after-curfew possibilities (the party at your friend's house or early morning breakfast at your place).
•	Ask a trusted adult to be near a phone and to be available prom night in case you need to call them, and carry enough change with you to make several phone calls.
•	Take your cell phone or borrow your parent's.

Get to Your Destination Safely

•	Keep an eye on your date/driver to make sure he/she doesn't drink any alcohol. Alcohol slows reaction time and impairs vision, clear thinking, judgment, and coordination.
•	There are more drunk drivers on the roads during the weekend. Keep a close eye on oncoming drivers, as impaired drivers tend to drive toward lights.
•	Know where you're going before prom night and have directions to those places.
•	After your red light turns green, wait a second before pulling into the intersection, just to be safe.
•	Drive on well lit roads, and carry a phone if possible. That way, if you get a flat tire, you're not stranded or waving down a cab with your silk tie or sequin purse.
•	Keep the radio volume turned low enough so your driver can concentrate on getting you to the fun. And don't forget your seat belt!
•	Make sure the car has enough gas to get where you're going.
•	Remember - if you find yourself in an uncomfortable position, or if the driver isn't safe, have enough money with you to call a friend or a cab.

Ways to Have Fun without Drinking

•	Go to a late-night diner all dressed up and order fries and a milkshake; it'll hit the spot and you'll get tons of attention.
•	Buy a bunch of disposable cameras, pass them around to your friends, and set a goal to use every last picture before the night is through.
•	Have a "Cranium" or "Act One" party at someone's house; don't forget to have lots of sodas, chips, and dips. You'll be hungry after all that dancing.
•	Host a karaoke party.
•	Visit an arcade with your date or with a group, and challenge each other to a game or two.
•	Ask your local YMCA if you can plan an after-prom basketball tournament. Bring your favorite CDs to play in the background.
•	Go to a late night coffee house and relive the evening for hours.
•	After prom, gather in a friend's house or backyard, take your shoes off, turn up the music, and really dance. Don't forget to notify neighbors and police of your special event, and don't let guests come and go.

Things You Can Do In Your Community

•	Before prom, work with your local law enforcement agency to plan a compliance check to help the police identify area retail alcohol outlets that are illegally selling alcohol to people under 21.
•	Work with school officials to organize an assembly that sends positive messages about abstaining from alcohol and other drugs and shows the possible consequences.
•	Work with your school's prom committee to plan a fun and safe after-prom celebration.
•	Prepare facts and statistics about alcohol consumption and consequences for use/abuse and make school announcements.
•	Call your local MADD chapter and ask how you can prevent underage drinking in your community.

Source: MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers

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