A Message to Parents from the Howard County Police and the PTA Council of Howard County

During prom and graduation season, the Howard County Police Department often sees tragedies affecting young people, particularly in vehicle crashes. Too often, these collisions and other dangerous activities involve the use of alcohol. This year, the police department has partnered with the Howard County Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Council to remind students and parents of the legal and safety consequences of underage drinking.

Each year, Howard County loses more people in fatal vehicle collisions than homicides. Many people killed in those collisions are between the ages of 16 and 20, which is the group at the highest risk for a fatal crash. Sadly, alcohol can play a role in these serious crashes.

Teens should know that buying alcohol under the age of 21 can result in multiple criminal charges, including alcohol possession, misrepresentation of age to obtain alcohol and possession of a fake ID. Each charge carries a $500 fine and violators must appear in court. Consuming alcohol while driving and driving under the influence each carry fines of $500 and, for a DUI conviction, the loss of license for 60 days or more. Young people driving with provisional licenses must be conviction-free for 18 months before they are eligible to obtain a driver's license.

Parents and other adults can play a role to ensure teens' safety during this time of celebration. Adults should be aware that they can be charged criminally with obtaining or furnishing alcohol for anyone under the age of 21. These charges each carry a fine of $500 and violators must appear in court.

In addition, the police department is sending letters to hotels and motels in Howard County asking them to strictly enforce their policies of not renting rooms to anyone under 21 years of age. The department and the PTA are asking hotel employees to call police if parents or other adults try to rent rooms for minors.

In 2001, a gathering of Howard County teens at a hotel resulted in the unnecessary death of a student and the serious injury of another. This mix of an unsupervised location, the presence of alcohol and other factors resulted in a horrible tragedy.

Fortunately, all 12 Howard County high-school PTAs will host safe celebrations on prom nights as part of their year-long efforts to promote teen safety in the community. PTA Council's “Project Safe After-Prom” addresses safety issues among high school students related to alcohol and drug abuse as well as other risky behaviors.

PTA After Prom parties provide safe alternatives to the private teen parties where alcohol and drugs are used, and peer pressure to engage in thrill-seeking behavior is high. Statistics indicate a strong correlation between alcohol and automobile accidents, violence, sexual assault, and unprotected sex. The goal of PTA After Prom celebrations is to promote a safe option for Howard County teens on a high risk night. These celebrations, which include food, music, fun activities and door prizes, are succeeding because of the commitment of the parents planning the celebrations, the backing of the school system, and the support of the community. Last year, more than 3,600 Howard County teens attended PTA After Prom events.

Throughout this school year, PTAs have shared prevention information, provided by HC DrugFree and the Howard County Health Department, with parents and teens on topics such as safe teen parties, and the hazards and legal consequences of underage drinking and drug abuse. Liberty Mutual provided a wrecked car displayed at each high school the week before prom to remind teens of the tragedies that can be caused by impaired teen driving.

As the end of the school year approaches, police will increase traffic enforcement on roadways around high schools in the county, particularly during arrival and departure times. The police department hopes the police presence will reduce speeding and aggressive driving, and increase seatbelt use among student drivers.