The Prom Promise: Helping high schoolers avoid high-risk behaviors

On the spectrum of life events, the high school prom is one of the most memorable times of a person’s life. Unfortunately, it’s also known as one of the most high-risk times for young people to indulge in high-risk behaviors, including substance misuse. To help remind young people about the risks involved with substance misuse and to help them make informed choices to avoid risky behavior, White Knoll High School will host a “Prom Promise” community event on Friday, April 12th, beginning at 9 am.

“Focusing on opportunities to engage our students in a positive and proactive way is of the utmost importance to us,” said Nicholas Pearson, principal of White Knoll High School. “I want to ensure our students enjoy their time at prom and other school events while being safe and mindful of the choices they make. “

LRADAC, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and the S.C. Department of Public Safety are among many community partners and agencies that will have displays, resources, and messaging to inform area juniors and seniors of the risks associated with substance misuse. There will also be a victim impact story from a speaker sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

“It’s important for us all to work together to make events like Prom Promise possible for the students of our community,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “It’s an opportunity to give them information on how to make safe choices, so they have fun and make positive memories during this important time.”

LRADAC’s Ashley Bodiford, Director of Prevention, said that it is of extreme importance to identify high-risk times in which youth are more likely to engage in risky behavior.

“Through collaborative efforts, like the Prom Promise, we can provide opportunities for young people to remain safe during these high-risk times, which is always our overall goal,” said Bodiford. “We know the likelihood that youth will engage in substance misuse during these times, and we want to prevent that.”

LRADAC

LRADAC is the designated alcohol and drug abuse authority for Lexington and Richland Counties. The public, not-for-profit agency offers a wide array of prevention, intervention, and treatment programs in locations convenient to residents of both counties. The agency has a budget of approximately $10 million and serves more than 4,500 clients annually. For more information on programs and services, visit LRADAC’s website at www.lradac.org.