The party's over...

The 2007 prom season is winding down as most schools have already had their proms or are scheduled to do so in the upcoming weeks. It has been a happy time for some, and the worst of times for others. As is usually the case at this time of the year, the news stories have been coming in relating "Prom Night Tragedies". I monitor prom-related news and stories via Google Alerts and seldom a day goes by that stories such as this are reported...

"Several of the underage people had made statements that the alcoholic beverages was (sic) provided by the home owners," the warrants stated.

Two high school seniors and the mother of a girl who threw an after-prom party have been charged as part of the investigation in the death of an 18-year-old student at the party.

2 Students, Adult Charged In After-Prom Party Where 1 Died

When 'little prom party blew up'

Once prom ended, the partying began

Many of those schools or organizations that did not sponsor an all night after-prom party saw such things happen in their communities. It is not enough that some kids or parents sponsor an "un-official" after-prom party as these private affairs have a way of getting out of hand. In addition, some parents think they are doing the kids a favor by providing alcohol to teens in a "supervised" fashion.

The 2007 prom season may be over, but we still have graduation ahead of us and the same after-graduation parties are planned. It is not too late to get your organization motivated to organize an event that will keep the kids safe on this special night. My book may be titled the "After Prom Party Guide", but it plays just as well for graduation party planning.

To all those parents, schools, PTAs/PTOs and other organizations who had the foresight to plan a party for the kids....

Thank You!
You may have saved someones life!

April is Alcohol Awareness Month

Prom and graduation season is upon us...

There is a wonderful website for a group based in Columbus, Ohio called the Drug-Free Action Alliance. Their mission is to provide leadership and foster networks to promote safe and drug free communities throughout Ohio. They want to increase public awareness of substance abuse and its harmful effects and the role of Drug-Free Action Alliance in substance abuse prevention.

They have an excellent article on their website, which I am going to include below as it addresses something that we hear about every year at this time... parents who host parties for teens and serve (or permit) alcohol at these parties. The article is entitled "Parents Who Host, Lose The Most".

Don’t be a party to teenage drinking

Parents play a major role in their children’s choices about alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. In a recent national survey of parents and teens by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, one-third of teen partygoers have been to parties where teens were drinking alcohol, smoking pot, or using cocaine, Ecstasy or prescription drugs while a parent was present. By age 17, nearly half (46 percent) of teens have been at such parties where parents were present.

Drug-Free Action Alliance has developed the “Parents Who Host, Lose The Most: Don’t be a party to teenage drinking” public awareness campaign to provide parents with accurate information about the health risks of underage drinking and the legal consequences of providing alcohol to youth. The campaign encourages parents and the community to send a unified message at prom and graduation time that teen alcohol consumption is not acceptable. It is illegal, unsafe, and unhealthy for anyone under age 21 to drink alcohol.Here are the facts:

• Parents who give alcohol to their teen’s friends under any circumstances, even in their own homes, are breaking the law.
• Parents who knowingly allow a person under 21 to remain in their home or on their property while consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages can be prosecuted and everything associated with such a violation can be confiscated, including personal property.
• Parents can be sued if they give alcohol to anyone under 21 and they in turn hurt someone, hurt themselves or damage property.Underage use of alcohol is a serious problem that too often leads to harmful consequences for youth and their families. Parents can protect themselves and their teens by following these guidelines when hosting parties for their children:
• Host safe, alcohol-free activities and events for youth during prom and graduation season
• Refuse to supply alcohol to children or allow drinking in your home or on your property
• Be at home when your teenager has a party
• Make sure your teenager’s friends do not bring alcohol into your home
• Talk to other parents about not providing alcohol at youth events
• Report underage drinking

More information about “Parents Who Host, Lose The Most: Don’t be a party to teenage drinking” is available at www.DrugFreeActionAlliance.org.

There is still time to pull together an alcohol-free party for your school's senior prom, get the After Prom Party Guide - and get busy!

After Prom Party Guide endorsement

The following press release is scheduled for January 15, 2007

After Prom Party Guide endorsed by former PTA State Executive Director

After Prom Party Guide is a "Fast Start" blueprint for planning high school after-prom parties offered as an instant download. Learn how to make prom night one to remember - not a tragic night to forget.

KALISPELL, MT – January 15, 2007- Already recommended by parents and well-known parenting experts like Mac Bledsoe, author of the Parenting With Dignity books and videos, Lori Heatherington’s new book, the After Prom Party Guide has received praise from former Washington state PTA Executive Director, Jim Carpenter. Jim headed the Washington state PTA from 1985 to 2000. After reviewing the final manuscript, he said:

“As a former executive director with the Washington State PTA, I wish this book had been available when I was working closely with PTAs and schools. This is an excellent resource and an outstanding planning guide for parents who want to plan an effective and fun post-graduation party – a party that the students will want to attend and a party at which they will be safe. I highly recommend it and encourage every parent group to get this book.”

The premise of the After Prom Party Guide is to provide parents, schools, PTAs and PTOs with a detailed step-by-step instruction manual about how to plan and stage an after prom party. The guide covers every facet of event planning from fundraising and facility options to liability and security concerns, party themes, entertainment, decorating tips, and every essential issue related to producing such an important event. Included in this book and the complimentary website, are sample solicitation letters, checklists and even an ingenious telemarketing script to be used when requesting cash and product donations from businesses. Heatherington’s book also offers tips on how to win over the teenagers by promising and delivering a fun-filled and entertaining event.

“I am very excited that my book is now attracting such significant attention; this is so important. My goal is to get this book in the hands of every school and parent’s organization, or any parent that wants to make sure their child has something fun to do on one of the most dangerous nights of their lives. Most parents are simply not aware that thousands of American teenagers will be injured and scores will be killed on the night of their senior prom. Solving this crisis is what this book is all about”, says Mrs. Heatherington.

About the Author and After Prom.org

Lori works full-time for the Humane Society of Northwest Montana as Administrative Director. After Prom.org™ is owned and operated by Lori Heatherington, author, mom and owner of a small consulting business. She holds a marketing degree from Dallas Baptist University in Dallas, Texas. The 'After Prom Party Guide' sells for $24.97 and is available for immediate download from her website, www.after-prom.org.

New Year Recommendation

Happy New Year everyone. I hope that your family had a wonderful holiday and a safe New Year's celebration. Our family played it low key this year, we stayed home with a cozy fire and watched the ball drop in New York - even if it was two time zones away.

One of the worst things about holidays, and yes, proms and graduations, is the need so many people feel to overdo the celebrating. I'm not just talking about kids here, how many times have you seen a mature adult throw good sense out the window and get in a car and drive after a party where too much alcohol was 'enjoyed'.

That kind of thinking is what gets so many kids in trouble with prom and graduation celebrations. They just don't know how much is enough and years of experience is not on their side. Forget the fact that they're under age, if given the opportunity far too many will choose to celebrate their "coming of age" with alcohol... or drugs.

Protecting our teenagers from themselves was the motivation behind me organizing our first After Prom Party, and then write the book on how to plan such an event. This year, how about making a resolution to do what you can to make your teens prom and graduation an affair to remember. Let's try to save a life and offer the kids a safe and fun alternative to rowdy parties and after hours carousing. Get a copy of my book for your school or your PTA/PTO and help pull together a celebration that will give all the kids great memories - and hopefully save a child's life.

Make 2007 a Happy New Year

Make a resolution to use the After Prom Party Guide