When parents think of prom night, most think of teenagers in gowns and tuxedos celebrating what is likely to be one of the most memorable nights of their lives. But as an INSIDE EDITION hidden camera investigation found, some prom nights are filled with memories that most moms and dads hope never to see.
"After-prom parties," parties held after the official prom ends, often take place with no parents, no curfew and no rules.
A nationwide study conducted last year revealed that nearly 300 young people died in alcohol related traffic accidents during prom season. So it's no wonder that many police departments across the country are increasing their patrols this time of year.
In Westchester County, New York, police Captain John Hodges set up roadblocks during prom season to check kids coming and going to the prom.
"In the past some of them were so intoxicated they had to be hospitalized with alcohol poisoning," Hodges told INSIDE EDITION.
In Columbia, South Carolina, police check for evidence of teen drinking before teens even enter the prom. They arrested one girl in the parking lot outside her high school prom who was charged with being under the influence of alcohol.
Outside of Washington D.C., in Colombia County, Maryland, police actually go door to door in hotels on prom weekends looking for underage drinking parties.
At the New Jersey shore, a popular destination for after-prom parties that last all weekend long, INSIDE EDITION found motel balconies packed with high school kids drinking out in the open. Uniformed off-duty cops even serve as security guards.
To find out how easy it was for an underage teen to get a hotel room, INSIDE EDITION sent a young looking 16-year-old high school junior to several motels in Seaside Heights and Wildwood, New Jersey. He had no trouble getting a room, even when he made it clear it was for prom night and there would be drinking.
At the Surf Comber Motel in Wildwood, New Jersey INSIDE EDITION's undercover team asked a security guard if they had a strict alcohol policy. The guard said, "No" but added, "Right now we got a prom party going on here and of course they're drinking but as long as people stay in the room or if they're outside as long as it's in the cup it isn't a problem."
The next week, INSIDE EDITION went back to the Surf Comber and asked the manager if her hotel tolerates underage drinking. She said her hotel doesn't, but added, "I'm not their parent. What they do in their room is their business. I cannot control that. We don't allow that." The manager said she makes teens sign a form saying they won't drink. But that didn't appear to be working.
Tips for Parents:
- Schedule a time to sit down and talk about Prom plans with your teen.
- Know the who, what, when, and where of the evening.
- Set up a meeting with your teens date before the big event.
- Check in with the parents or hosts of any post-prom party your teen wants to attend.
- Determine a curfew for prom night.
- Stay up for prom-goers to return home.
- Take stock of the alcohol at home.
- Talk with your teen about the actual consequences of underage drinking, both big and small.
- Discuss the rules in your home regarding alcohol use and the consequences of breaking the rules. As a parent, are you prepared to enforce these consequences if a rule is broken?
- Tell your teen that if they find themselves in an unsafe or uncomfortable situation to call you or another trusted adult.
- Check in periodically with your child on their cellphone.
Tips for Teens:
- Know your date before you go.
- Ask a trusted adult to be near a phone and be available on prom night.
- Don't drink alcohol or use any substance that will compromise your ability to make good decisions.
- Plan what you will say or do if someone offers you alcohol or drugs. Use phrases such as "No thanks, are you kidding? I want to remember this night."
- Keep an eye on your date/driver to make sure he/she doesn't drink any alcohol.
MADD Alcohol-free Prom Party Ideas:
- Step out: Go out afterwards to your favorite burger joint and order a milkshake - in full-on prom wear. This one always turns heads.
- Photo rally: Buy a bunch of single-use cameras, pass them around, and set a goal to use them all before the night is through. As a
bonus, make it a photo scavenger hunt with prizes for the team that gets the most pictures from a zany list.
- Reveal your inner gamer: This would be a good night to tell him you secretly love video games. Just be prepared for to see him weep when you beat him at air hockey or out groove him on Dance Dance Revolution.
- Run the highlight reel: Go to a coffee house with friends and relive the evening play by play. And hope that your story doesn't make the headlines as the funniest moment of the night.
- Get "Footloose": Seriously. Kevin Bacon. 1980s. Look into it. Then go to someone's back yard, take off your shoes, turn up the music, and cut loose.
- Go into overtime: Hook up with the YMCA and plan an after-prom basketball tournament. You can get your game on and show
some muscles.
- Dig in: Kick it like Mom and put out the party platter - complete with chips, sodas and other after-party snacks. Then grab some board games for some friendly competition. Who's up for some Scrabble or Twister?
- Midnight Movie Marathon: Rent some DVDs. One word: "Footloose."
Source: Mothers Against Drunk Driving and CenturyCouncil.org.