Letter: Safety Needed For Prom Season

For the parents of Narragansett students, it is that time of year again. This is when proms become an adolescent’s priority. Proms are often seen as rites of passage when looking great, and being cool and grown up take front stage in their lives. Suddenly, whom you are taking to the dance and sitting with are the topics of conversations, texts, and chats. Plans before and after the prom becomes the focus of their lives.

The latter is of most concern to me as the Student Assistance Counselor at Narragansett High School.

Of course, most students make fun alcohol and drug free plans. Sadly, I hear far too often from students about how they were able to get alcohol and/or prescription pills from their own houses. They tell me their parents don’t notice and I believe them.

I believe that if their parents did notice, they would do everything they could to stop it.

The number one deterrent of adolescent substance abuse is parental involvement. Believe me when I say that your kids are listening to you, even when you think they aren’t. Your kids are thankful for every limit and boundary you set, even when they tell you they aren’t.

I know, because they tell me.

Please talk to your kids about the law, about their brain development, and how harmful it is to use drugs and alcohol. Explain that it can be hard to remember all that when their peers make it seem so fun in the beginning-but they must.

Remind them of your expectations and rehearse scenarios to help prepare them. Set up a “911” text for when you need to come get them but they do not want anyone to know they told.

It’s a fact: the younger you are when you start drinking, the greater the chance of becoming addicted to alcohol at some point in your life. More than four in 10 people who begin drinking before the age of 15 eventually become alcoholics.

Please continue to talk to your kids about making safe, wise and smart decisions. It is working. Notice when they are making healthy choices.

Please keep discussing the dangers of getting into a vehicle with any driver who is under the influence, (this includes any substance), or is a distracted driver. They are listening. (Even when they roll their eyes).

Please talk to your kids about respecting themselves and their family. They do want to be respected. Don’t be afraid of the subject. Graduation is coming up and you can use your pre-prom discussion about these important issues for that night and many others to come.

Please continue to stay involved. We know that your involvement works because most kids at our high school aren’t using drugs or alcohol.
We want your kids back and safe after each and every school sponsored dance and event. And all those important events in their futures.

Sarah Laidler
Student Assistance Counselor
Narragansett High School

This year’s prom takes place Monday, June 13, followed by graduation on Thursday, June 16.