By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
Heading into prom and graduation season, leaders from across Bristol County, Massachusetts came together Wednesday to announce a county-wide effort to prevent underage drinking and driving.
“Underage drinking poses dangers to a young persons’ health and to the safety of others. It’s also against the law,” said Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn.
He brought together police chiefs, state representatives and Taunton Mayor Thomas Hoye, a former high school health teacher, to drive home their point.
“The family has to be involved in this process. As parents, you need to know what your children are doing at all times, you can’t afford not to,” said Hoye.
Taunton Police will be involved in a concentrated effort leading up to the proms, said Taunton Police Sergeant Richard Carreiro.
“We’re going to be monitoring the package stores, and we’re also going to be patrolling during the times that the proms are ongoing,” said Carreiro.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens,” said Quinn. “In 2012, 23% of drivers ages 15 to 20 involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes had been drinking.”
Quinn distributed awareness cards to tuxedo stores across the county, to be placed in the pocket of every tuxedo rented or sold to all teenagers in the county.
He called on parents to set limits and expectations with consequences when rules are broken.
Parents and guardians can adopt a ‘safe family pledge’, available at his web site, urged them to be aware of teens’ friends are, make efforts to secure safe transportation to and from proms, with limousine or bus companies.
He said parents, schools or community based organizations can host alcohol-free events to prevent unsafe activity. One such effort has been held at Fall River’s Durfee High School for the last 19 years. The after-prom party is an all-night affair in which students agree to stay at the school through the night, and can only be released with permission of a parent or guardian, said Fall River State Representative Carole Fiola.
“This is a formal event, there are carnival themes, and it’s well done. But, most importantly, the kids arrive by a certain time, and they can only leave with a call to a parent. It’s very well orchestrated,” Fiola said.
“I hope they heed the warning,” said Attleboro Police Chief Kyle Heagney. “I want them to succeed, have a great celebration, a great prom year, but do it responsibly.”
