The views stated here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors of this newspaper. We welcome supporting or opposing views on any published item. Received April 22, 2023.
With prom on the horizon, it is important to remember how to stay safe while still having fun. Hollywood glamorizes prom, making it magical and a night of unforgettable moments, but if bad decisions are made, the night can take a harsh turn and the memories will turn dark.
In America, according to CreditDonkey.com, the average household spends around $978 on prom and prom-related expenses. For girls, the dress alone can be upwards of $500, and then the ticket, hair, nails, and pictures are other expenses. However, girls aren’t the only ones paying a pretty penny.
For guys, the tux alone is an average of around $184, and with shoes and a
boutonniere, they spend nearly $300. After spending that much money on an event, making the experience worth it is important, but there are ways to do that without crossing boundaries into illegal or deathly territory.
One of the leading causes of death for teens ages 12-19 is car accidents. Credit Donkey also says that in the months of April to June, peak prom season, a third of car crashes are alcohol-related. This is not to say all teens are drinking, or that all of these accidents are from teens attending prom, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
A survey conducted by Liberty Mutual, a car insurance company, found that out of 2,300 juniors in high school, only 20 percent thought it was unsafe to drive on prom night. However, 6% of those students admitted to driving under the influence on their prom night. The solution to this overarching problem is quite simply not to drink or do drugs. `
With both proms in Westbrook – the junior prom at the Elks Club and the senior prom at Water’s Edge – these locations could easily distract teens from the dangers of drugs and alcohol and steer them toward fun hangout spots like Dairy Queen or Lenny and Joe’s.
If you know of a friend who has been drinking, it is important to remember not to get in the car with them. Instead, make sure you have a safe ride to and from prom so you can get home safely without becoming a statistic. In addition, you should take the keys from the driver with the help of friends.
While at prom, make sure you do not leave your drink unattended so it cannot be
tampered with and stay with a group of friends you know and trust will look out for each other.
Instead of drinking and doing drugs, students can do any of the following:
1. Have a movie marathon with friends and watch prom-themed movies.
2. Get a pizza and have a game night.
3. Go out to eat.
4. Do karaoke with friends.
Samantha Pach
