Help Keep Your Teen Safe at Prom This Weekend

The following information was provided by the Rockwood School District. 

Rockwood School District asks students to enjoy prom this weekend without alcohol and other drugs and encourages parents to support their teens in this important area.

To help spread the message of “safe celebration,” Marquette High School hosted a crash reenactment complete with a helicopter, wrecked vehicles and first responders.  This event is intended to remind students of the dangers associated with drinking and driving.

In addition to the crash reenactment, Rockwood Drug-Free Coalition has partnered with local police agencies to reinforce the importance of safe celebrations.  Some of their tactics include:

• Post-Prom Party Patrols:  On the evening of prom, police will drive around neighborhoods in the school community to remind patrons that it is unacceptable and a crime for minors to consume alcohol and for adults to provide a home or other place for students to drink.
• Alcohol Check-Points:  St. Louis County’s highway safety unit has arranged for extra alcohol check-points in the school community that is hosting prom.
• Safe Celebration Messaging:  Road signs with the message, “PROMise to celebrate safe and sober,” are on display the week prior to prom as a reminder to students.  Rockwood Drug-Free Coalition has also arranged for cards with this message to be distributed to students at local florists, tuxedo stores and hair and nail salons.

Coalition Director Renee Heney explained the reason for these initiatives. “It’s a priority of ours to do everything possible to keep teens safe during the high risk periods of spring recess, prom and graduation. With support from parents - who play such a critical role -and many community partners, we hope to make this an incident-free prom and graduation season.” 

Parents are encouraged to “know the plans” on the night of prom and communicate these messages to their teens.  To view safe celebration tips, visit the Rockwood Drug-Free Coalition website.