DOWNINGTOWN >> Instead of asking parents to buy them alcohol during the prom and graduation seasons, Downingtown students actually told parents not to do that.
Downingtown West High School students recently posted stickers on beer cases at Exton Beverage and Joe Burns in Downingtown, to remind parents of the logo on the stickers that “parents who host, lose the most.” The campaign, with the help of Communities That Care of Greater Downingtown, has a mission to raise awareness of the issues surrounding underage drinking.
Parents who Host, Lose the Most is a public awareness program educating communities and parents about the health and safety risks of serving alcohol at teen parties. The program takes place at state and local levels, concentrating on celebratory times for youth, such as homecoming, holidays, prom, graduation and other times when underage drinking parties are prevalent. This program encourages parents and the entire community to send a unified message that teen alcohol consumption is unhealthy, unsafe and unacceptable.
The students additionally distributed window stickers, yard signs and informative brochures throughout the community in hopes of reaching parents who may believe it’s OK to serve alcohol at an underage party.
They have a message to inform parents that teenagers like to party and drink alcohol, and some parents think that hosting an underage party at their home would keep the teenagers out of trouble, but it could get the parents in trouble.
“While their intentions are good, it’s illegal, unsafe and unhealthy for anyone underage to drink alcohol,” said the West students of the Downingtown Area School District.
They noted that parents who host actually lose the most because parents could be prosecuted for purchasing the alcohol or hosting the underage party in their home.
“So parents please protect yourselves and your kids,” the West students said. “Don’t be a party to teenage drinking.”
They urged parents to fulfill their role by making the prom and graduation seasons safe for everyone by not helping someone under the age of 21 to purchase alcoholic beverages.