How to Police Underage Drinking at a Prom

Being a point person for policing alcohol use at the prom combines two American traditions: the overall importance of Prom night and the strict national laws on the drinking age of 21. As a developed nation, America has a relatively high drinking age that puts A LOT of pressure on communities and families. As a leader or chaperon, you walk the line between highly controversial opposing views: some parents give in to minors and some don't: the issue of "hosting" at homes, though technically illegal, is becoming one controversial way to deal with underage drinking. The better you prepare yourself to negotiate this mine field, the more effective you will be when policing underage drinking at the prom.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Be open and approachable. Empty threats don't usually accomplish much with kids who are intent on violating alcohol laws. It's often more effective to show yourself as a sympathetic ear, and then work from there to discourage kids from unsafe practices.

2. Be explicitly clear when talking to kids (or adults). No matter how sympathetic you may be, emphasize that you are REQUIRED by law to stop all underage drinking, but within that framework, let kids see your own moderate viewpoints emerge as you counsel them, first and foremost, on how to be safe.

3. Talk to kids earnestly about the dangers of drunk driving. Illustrate how concerns about getting caught drinking can lead to unsafe behavior and how all kinds of different feelings and situations can lead to a minor getting behind the wheel. Showing kids the specific dangers of drunk driving will encourage them to view it as the major threat that it is to public safety. Be realistic about the difference between a kid having a beer and an inebriated teen behind the wheel. This distinction is so important in preventing alcohol-related accidents, it should be a primary goal in your campaign to keep prom night safe.

4. Talk about the strange and complicated world of alcohol use. Another way to counsel kids is to explain the diverse illusions of how we view alcohol, and how the gradual effects of alcohol can work to destroy lives. Start with psychological effects like loss of inhibition and motor control, and also explain physical consequences such as prescription drug interactions and alcohol as a stomach irritant. many kids will get the message: irresponsible alcohol use is dangerous at any age.

5. Be proactive in the parking lot. As much as possible, monitor vehicles leaving the area and confiscate keys if necessary. Although there are limitations to what you can do to prevent kids from using alcohol, keeping an eye out can prevent accidents and keep alcohol out of your prom function, as is truly a service to your community.

Tips & Warnings

• When in doubt, refer to resources supplied by organizations like the Century Council and other non-profits. These guides not only show you how to reason with kids about alcohol, but how far you can go in policing underage drinking. They will give you needed references for how to go about safeguarding kids from alcohol, not just on prom night, but on other nights as well.

Resources

• Century Council: Guides for Parents and Others.
• Prom tips from a law firm.