Prom Season Begins: Rockland CANDLE Offers Tips for Parents

PEARL RIVER, NY — Prom season is around the corner and teens will once again be making decisions as to how they participate in an event which can last for an evening or an entire weekend. The Community Awareness Network for a Drug-Free Life and Environment of Rockland County is sponsoring a parent awareness campaign for the second year in a row. Local businesses including Pizza City in Pearl River are helping CANDLE out.

The need is real. In June of 2016, CANDLE surveyed 225 high school students between the ages of 14 and 18 in Rockland County and found that 70 percent of students said they have friends their age that drink alcohol more than once a month and 43 percent acknowledged that they have friends who have purchased alcohol using a fake ID.

CANDLE’s goal is to raise awareness among parents to talk to their kids all year long but especially during prom and graduation season about the risks and consequences associated with drugs and alcohol to ensure teens have a safe and positive experience.

“In 2016 we partnered successfully with several local pizzerias on a parent awareness campaign around prom/graduation time," said Annie Scott, Program Director for CANDLE. "We asked the restaurant owners from each community to tape flyers to the tops of pizza boxes. The message encouraged parents to talk to their kids about their plans for prom and graduation with the goal of encouraging positive behaviors."

Participating restaurants and corresponding high schools include Pizza City (Pearl River), Sal's Pizza and Domino’s (Spring Valley), Godfather’s Pizza and Papa John’s (Ramapo), Nonna Rosa and Calabria (Tappan Zee), Napoli and Cicero’s (Clarkstown South), Nicky’s ll, Rocco’s and Calabria (Clarkstown North), Amici’s and Dee Maria’s (Nyack), Nicky’s (Suffern), Posa Posa (Nanuet), Pizzarena, OIP and Pantano’s (North Rockland).

The program will be implemented this year beginning in May and will also take place in October around Homecoming.

Scott advises asking teens about their plans for the evening or the weekend, discussing their event once they return home, and speaking to the driver to ensure an alcohol and drug free ride. Parents can also offer to be designated drivers for the evening.

“Whether they realize it or not, parents are the number one influencers in children’s lives and have the ability to help them make healthy, smart choices,” adds Scott.

Click for more information on the campaign.