Prom Season Driver Been Drinking Refuse The Ride

The Fond du Lac High School group, Students Taking Action Against Negative Decisions (STAAND) is highlighting the month of April, recognized as Alcohol Awareness month, by spreading the message of their current campaign of “Driver Been Drinking? Refuse the Ride!” to reduce the number of Fond du Lac youth who report being a passenger in the car when the driver has been drinking. 

April also marks the beginning of prom season, which is a time when the spotlight turns to celebrations that can lead to underage drinking. Each year across the United States, hundreds of teens are killed or injured in alcohol-related accidents connected with prom events. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration more than one third of youth killed in alcohol-related traffic accidents occur during the months of April, May and June.

To address the issue of teens, underage drinking and safe driving, STAAND has partnered with the Fond du Lac County Health Department to create and distribute cards to local flower studios and prom dress and tuxedo retail shops, with messaging that reminds students to have a safe and fun prom by refusing to be a passenger with a driver who has been drinking as well as wearing their seat belts.  “We feel very supported in our efforts to raise awareness about making good decisions by our community,” Fond du Lac High School sophomore and STAAND member, Rachel Zahradnik said, in reference to the number of businesses who have participated which include Becky’s Cottage Floral, Botanicals Flower Studio, Edith’s Bridal and Tuxedos, Haentze Floral Co., Nedrebo’s Formal Wear, Personal Touch Flowers and Gifts, and Woods’ Floral and Gifts.

Continual research shows that parents are the greatest point of leverage in preventing drug and alcohol abuse. In fact, kids who learn about the risks of drugs and alcohol from their parents throughout their childhood are up to 50% less likely than their peers to use. However, less than one-third (30 percent) of Fond du Lac youth report having a discussion about alcohol with their parents in the last 30 days. 

In the photo: Fond du Lac High School STAAND members, (from left) Cassidy Kahl, Rachel Zahradnik, and Rhiannon Klabunde, take a photo with Botanicals Floral studio owner, Patrick Creed