Prom Supervision

Prom is an exciting time for most. For parents, it’s all about the pictures. For the kids, it’s all about getting dolled-up and having a blast – but sometimes having too much fun can lead to trouble.

Throughout the years, pop culture has conditioned some prom-goers to associate the night with drinking, drugs and other illegal activities. Detective Keith Campbell, youth services officer for the Acton Public Schools, will attend prom to keep activities under control.

Campbell is a liaison from the Acton Police Department for the Acton Public Schools and not only teaches various drug and alcohol courses for students but also attends events like the prom to make sure students are not intoxicated.

“One of the good things about having myself (a police officer) at the prom is to be able to tell those signs (if someone is under the influence) and to be able to run a kid through some sobriety tests that might indicate what they have been taking,” said Campbell. “You know, most of the kids are pretty honest and I can pull their friends aside and try to figure out what the situation was coming into the prom and they are usually pretty honest with me.”

According to Campbell, the seniors sign a contract after winter break, agreeing to the conditions that if they get into any sort of trouble regarding drugs or alcohol, they will be suspended from certain school functions like the prom or graduation.

“Our main goal is to prevent tragedies, especially this time of year when the kids are getting their most independence in terms of graduating and that kind of thing,” said Campbell. “There is a lot of temptations out there for drug and alcohol use and I think that if we can get ahead of it and prevent any major stuff from happening we are going to be much better off.”

With an event like prom, Campbell and school officials are not on a mission to get anyone into trouble. If Campbell suspects a student is under the influence, officials will assess the situation and take proper precautions. Depending on the case, Campbell may just have a parent come pick up the inebriated student and then he/she will deal with the consequences of their actions with the school.

“It doesn’t happen often, honesty we have 700 kids at the prom and if we have five that are showing signs of intoxication that would be a high number,” said Campbell. “Most of the kids are doing a great job being responsible – so in my opinion it is really not a tremendous issue but given the age of the kids and the pressures, it happens – but it is certainly not happening by the vast majority of the kids.”

The Acton-Boxborough Regional High School prom will be held at the Boston Park Plaza this Friday, May 27.