Please don’t become a grad party statistic
Caledon Enterprise 
June 12, 2008

Prom and graduation party season is here and students at many local high schools are preparing to celebrate this rite of passage. With all the excitement that comes with prom, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and forget a few basic precautions to ensure everyone’s safety.

During May and June, York Regional Police officers have been making safety presentations at various high schools on the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  And Caledon OPP frequently issues reminders about the dangers of drinking and driving.

Police want students and their parents to remember these simple safety tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable party.

• Do not drink alcohol, especially if you are under age. The legal drinking age in Ontario is 19 and most Grade 12 students are only 17 or 18 years old.
• Do not drink and drive.  According to the MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), two out of five people who die in crashes involving alcohol are 25 years of age and under.  More teens die each year as a result of road crashes than any other cause of death.
• Do not enter a vehicle with a driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Discuss your plans with friends and family members, and remind each other about responsible decision-making and confronting peer pressure.
• Arrange for transportation before and after the party, for example, public transit, taxis, limousines or parents.
• Tell a parent your itinerary for the evening.  Let them know who you will be with, where you will be going after the prom, along with phone numbers to contact you, how you will be getting there and - most importantly - how you will be getting home.
• Make sure a trusted adult is available should you require one for any reason.
• Make sure you have a cell phone with you and extra cash, should you need it.

Please be a young person who makes responsible choices and encourages others to do the same.  Don’t drink alcohol or use any other substance that will compromise your ability to make good decisions.  Making an unwise decision can ruin your special evening, which is supposed to create lasting memories. Don’t become a grad night statistic.