Prom is quickly approaching and that can only mean one thing: the inevitable after prom party. Once the gowns are laid to rest and ties are thrown aside, teens race to party with hopes of a night filled with fun, laughter and of course, drinking.

Regardless of their parents best efforts many LHS prom goers will be engaging in underage drinking after prom and nothing adults say or do will stop that.

According to a study done by Edgar Snyder & Associates, 54% of teens consume at least 4 alcoholic beverages on prom night while only 29% of teens believe underage drinking comes with a high risk.

Regardless of teens believing in their youth to keep them safe, facts speak louder. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 5,000 teens die from alcohol related incidents on average each year.

Underage drinking is not a new issue and is seen as a right of passage for many teens after prom. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment but before you know it those moments could be your last.

You may be thinking “I won’t drink and drive” but drinking and driving is not the only consequence of the after prom drinking. Excessive drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning and other alcohol related incidents.

If you choose not to drink remember, it’s okay to be the “lame” friend. Don’t be afraid to not drink and never fear taking a friends keys who is in danger of hurting him or herself or others by getting behind the wheel drunk.

Prom is great experience and the after prom party is a way to make memories with those friends. Whether you drink or not make sure to be responsible and make the right decisions to ensure your own safety as well as those around you.