We have joined with Weston Youth Services & Weston High School PTO to sponsor a funny but thought-provoking preprom presentation by comedian Bernie McGrenahan, who helps high school and college students to learn from his life experiences.

Bernie is changing the way students look at partying by sharing his life story.    He is a former ‘A’ student/athlete and high-risk drinker, who lost it all, beat the odds, and climbed his way back up. Bernie shares ‘inside tips’ to when a party stops being a party. A stand-up comedy show first, followed by a powerful and inspirational message on how students can achieve their goals.  In addition to Bernie’s talk, ADAP’s Youth Leadership Council students will be on hand throughout pre-prom awareness day with information for students on alcohol and drug awareness and prom safety.

Join ADAP in helping keep teens safe during prom and party season!

Comedian Bernie McGrenahan with ADAP YLC Representatives May 2010

Detective Carl Filsinger with ADAP YLC member using Fatal Vision Goggles May 2010

Here’s What You Can Do to Help Keep Prom Goers and New Graduates Safe:

• Know Your Teens’ Plans and tell them to update you if the itinerary changes so you’re aware of their whereabouts.
• Check In With Them Via Text – they are more likely to reply, since it’s discreet. You can send messages like “Hope ur having a gr8 time!” or “U OK?” before and after the dance.
• Trust Your Teens and resist the urge to hover. You’ve filled them in on the rules and the risks – chances are they got the message.

A national new study of 11^th and 12^th grade students confirmed that teens don’t recognize the dangers of driving on prom and graduation night, even though they think their peers may be more likely to drink on these occasions. Each year, approximately 5,000 young people under the age of 21, die as a result of underage drinking: 1,900 deaths from motor vehicle crashes, as well as hundreds from other injuries such as falls, burns and drowning.

Prom Night Safety Tips For Parents

• Know and discuss the School code of conduct before the prom with your child.
• Does the school code of conduct extend to off-site functions that have been approved by the school?
• Know who your child is attending the prom with and discuss the events for pre and post prom parties with other parents.
• Discuss the dangers of drinking and driving.
• Talk with your child about the dangers of club drugs, warning signs and who to notify for assistance.
• Pre-plan and role-play answers that your child can use to get out of uncomfortable situations. (e.g., offered alcohol, getting a ride from an intoxicated driver, unwanted sexual advances, etc.)
• Discuss guidelines and a curfew. Discuss the consequences of violating these rules.
• Discuss travel plans, use a reputable limousine service that will not allow a person to bring, serve or introduce alcohol into the vehicle.
• Know who is driving to the prom and who will be a passenger. Limit the number of passengers to increase safety and reduce driver distractions.
• Know the location of post prom parties and who is sponsoring them.
• Talk to your teenager about the serious dangers and consequences of underage drinking and driving.
• If your child’s’ plans change, confirm the change with the parents of other children.
• Remind your child that you are there for them, if they need a ride home or to an after prom affair.

Prom Night Tips for Teens

• Alcohol is illegal for persons under the age of twenty-one. Underage drinking can result in arrest, injury, or worse!
• Don’t let friends drink and drive.
• Plan ahead – make sure you have a safe plan for prom night.
• Discuss your plans with your friends, remind each other about responsible decision-making and confronting peer pressure.
• Do not accept any drinks from someone you do not know. If you leave your drink, discard it and get a new one.
• Do not leave your possessions unattended.
• Learn the warning signs for alcohol poisoning and drug intoxication, contact 911 for assistance and immediate treatment.
• Take extra money or have a responsible person available for transportation for a safe ride home or in case an emergency arises.
• Remember to charge you cell phone and have it with you.
• Know where you are and where you are going, keep your parents and friends informed.
• Trust your instincts, if you feel endangered or uncomfortable, leave immediately.
• Intoxication by alcohol or drugs can lead to poor judgment and dangerous situations.
• Remember to contact your parents if your plans change.
• Practice and discuss answers you can use to get out of uncomfortable situations.
• Do not allow anyone in your car or limo that has drugs or weapons. It is dangerous and every one in the car is at risk of getting arrested.
• It is illegal to alter your drivers’ license or any other form of government identification

WHS Principal with WHS student at Preprom Program May 2010

]]> http://www.westonadap.org/2010/04/20/prom-night-safety-tips-for-parents-and-teens/feed/ 0 http://www.westonadap.org/2009/11/20/positive-directionsposter-contest/ http://www.westonadap.org/2009/11/20/positive-directionsposter-contest/#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:23:14 +0000 ADAP http://www.westonadap.org/?p=191 Congratulations to Ross Jespersen, Weston ADAP YLC Representative who is one of the winners of the Positive Directions Tri-Town Poster Contest.  Students were asked to create a poster relating to
Why teens DON’T drink & why teens should not drink alcohol
Here is Ross’s winning poster:

Click on image to view larger

WWL helps support ADAP, Kids in Crisis and the Weston Education Foundation.
For more please information visit www.westonwomensleague.org

Tammy Roberts presents check to ADAP YLC members.

YLC members will be selling tickets at Weston Center over the next few weekends.  Please support this family event. All proceeds will go to Kiwanis and ADAP to support programs for Weston youth.  $25 per family, $8 per individual.

With the Mt. Laurel Dance just around the corner on Saturday May 9, the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program of Weston (ADAP) asks parents for two considerations. First, chaperones are desperately needed. If interested or if you have any questions, please contact Olga Kunevsky at okunevsky@yahoo.com. Secondly, ADAP encourages parents to take this opportunity to discuss expectations, set limits and use some “parenting tools” especially if this is the first high school dance for their son or daughter.

Party Tips for Parents from ADAP and the Weston Police:

• Don’t leave your house unattended the night of the dance. It’s too tempting to become the post-dance party house.
• Know where your children will be before and after the dance. Ask them who they will be with and where they’ll be. Have them call you from a landline instead of a cell phone to be sure of their location.
• Call the host parents of any parties to confirm they are going to be home and that there will be no alcohol allowed. If you can, offer to help chaperone.
• Be careful with large parties. Open invitations are posted on Facebook, leading to huge numbers of invited and uninvited guests. Such events can easily get out of control.
• Look for containers that might contain alcohol. It’s common for teens to bring alcohol in water bottles or other containers, making it difficult for parents to stop alcohol consumption.
• If they do attend a party, make it easy for them to leave if they sense trouble. Tell them they can call you for a ride – no matter how late, no questions asked. Develop a code word that means, “pick me up now” to avoid being embarrassed in front of friends.
• Most importantly, be clear. Tell your teens that you feel alcohol and drug use is unacceptable. Many parents never state this simple fact. It makes a difference.

This is an excellent opportunity to network with other parents about setting limits and rules for the evening. All parents want to trust their children, but they should also be diligent. Remember you’re their parent, not their friend. Trust but verify.

The Mountain Laurel dance will be held on Saturday, May 9, from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm at Temple Israel. No one will be admitted after 9:00 pm and no one may leave before 10:30 pm unless arranged in advance. A Breathalyzer test will be given to everyone entering the dance. Additional parenting tips can be found on the ADAP website, at www.westonadap.org.

Sophomores Khadija Lalani and Meg Sanborn at ADAP’s Parent Forum

Celeste McGeehan presenting the ADAP Community Service Award to Mark Berkowitz, athletic director of Weston High School

“Last week the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP) of Weston presented its ADAP Community Service Award as part of its Red Ribbon Week activities. In a presentation at Weston Town Center, the award was given to Mark Berkowitz, athletic director at Weston High School…” [Read the rest at www.acorn-online.com]