It’s that time of year again. Spring proms and graduation events are about to take place at schools across Lincoln County and with them the array of parties and celebrations, the stuff memories are made of. For most us, that is. The sad reality is that every year at this time, with striking predictability, tragedy, sometimes fatal, replaces joy for some families.

Though we say it won’t happen here, not in our town, the truth is we know it can and we live with a kind of grim uncertainty. We say our prayers and hope that our own kids and our neighbors’ will be safe; that they won’t wind up in a car full of kids who’ve been drinking and using drugs when tragedy hits.

At Boothbay Region High School, where the Junior Prom is coming up on May 18, the Student Council, assisted by members of the local Taking the Blinders Off support group and Lincoln County CASA (Communities Against Substance Abuse) have put together a mailing of helpful tips for parents and a hand-out for students.

The parent mailing includes the flier, “Parents that Host Lose the Most.” It is a reminder to parents that hosting parties where teens are drinking in their homes is not only illegal and extremely dangerous but, in fact, they are liable should tragic consequences occur to youth as a result of their party.

Yes, along with the prayers, there are things we can all do to lessen the chances of harm befalling our children, especially when it’s related to alcohol or drug use. Listed below are some simple tips which can save teen lives. While schools work to plan for safe celebrations, parents and family members or adult caregivers often hold the key to keeping teens safe. If you don’t have a young person in your life, read these suggestions anyway and pass them along to someone who does.

• Make sure you know the entire plan for the evening, including locations where your child will go and what time you expect him or her home. There’s nothing wrong with asking what restaurant, other home or location he or she will visit during the evening. That’s the obligation of parents; and teens may appreciate it, even as they roll their eyes.

• Know the other parents involved in your teen’s prom night. What are their views on teen alcohol and drug use? If they are having an after prom party in their home are they planning to be there and are they planning to allow teen drinking? Have contact information for everyone. If there’s an issue that evening, phone numbers and street addresses are invaluable.

• Be there when your teen leaves and don’t go to sleep until you know he or she is home safely. Assure your son or daughter it’s OK for them to call you if they feel uncomfortable in any situation and want to come home. You may even want to develop a code word so a teen doesn’t have to say, “My driver is drinking – come get me.”

• If you haven’t had those conversations about sex, alcohol and drugs, muster up your parenting responsibilities and talk candidly. Prom night generates peer pressure to push boundaries so discuss limits and repercussions. No lecturing with scare tactics. The best approach is, “I know you already know this, but I want you to be safe and have fun, so…”

• Remind your teen of the dangers of distracted driving. Make sure he or she has made all plans for pickups, drop-offs and meeting friends before getting in the car. Stress the dangers of cell phones and texting while driving. If a limo service is being used, know their policy regarding alcohol consumption in the vehicle and if they require use of seatbelts.

• Remind your children to be cautious accepting beverages from others, even friends, to avoid the chance of alcohol or drugs being slipped into their drink.

• Remind them to notify a teacher, a school official, you or a law officer if they see someone drinking and know that person plans to drive other friends home. Good friends don’t let friends be at risk.

Finally, one of the most difficult duties for any police officer is notifying parents that their teenage son or daughter has been killed in a traffic accident. Lincoln County law enforcement urges teens to do their part: to think first, to know and understand, intuitively, the possible consequences of making the decision to drink or use drugs on prom or graduation night. It could cost them their lives.

For more information go to www.maineparents.net or contact Joyce Steel at Healthy Lincoln County: tel. 207-563-6123 or email casa@healthylincolncounty.org/.