Youth Page

Youth & Alcohol, Media & Messages Project

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Party Safely: Prom Edition

New resources now available for downloading!

In the Spring of 2006, using the PASS it on framework, we worked with senior high school students to develop messages for their peers regarding safer partying strategies about lowering the risks associated with parties, especially those related to prom and graduation.

During a one-day workshop, interested senior students looked at the party scenarios that were most common in their school and community culture, and the risks associated with those scenes. Then they developed possible safety strategies to lower those risks and generated dissemination plans.

The students came to a unanimous conclusion that post prom and graduation parties were going to occur and the majority of students believed that they would attend. Students used past experiences to identify common partying risks that were likely to occur at post prom and graduation parties. Rape, unwanted sexual advances (making them or getting them!), vandalism, violence, alcohol poisoning, police involvement and drinking and driving were considered the major issues of concern.

The students involved in the workshops quickly realized the importance of developing and disseminating a safety message to their peers. Students were excited about the peer-to-peer education and believed that the messages would have a positive influence on other students. Students narrowed the risks to the three most relevant issues. They focused on the issues and arrived at a message and a plan to convey throughout their schools.

Here are some examples of Safer Partying Messages:

"Stop assault, it’s not your fault!"

One school chose to increase awareness about the poor decision making (while under the influence of alcohol and/or marijuana) that could lead to unwanted sexual advances or assault at after prom and graduation.

“Think before you drink!”

Lack of judgement when drinking or when drunk was a risk identified by many students. They felt that they and their peers may not think clearly when drinking or when drunk, they may not know their limits, may drink and drive, make poor sexual choices and alcohol may increase the likelihood of violence and aggressive behaviour.

Here are some examples of Safer Partying Messages:

Available Resources:

	Alcohol poisoning power point presentation The power point presentation offers a colourful and realistic look into the facts about alcohol poisoning.	Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation
	Party Safely Mini Reference Book This tiny pocket size booklet is jam packed with quick facts alcohol & drugs as well as strategies for safe party outcomes– you can add your own message for your peers before you photocopy it. Some folding required!	View PDF
	If You Are A Girl Pamphlet The pamphlet offers information specific to females including alcohol stats & information regarding pregnancy, sexual assault and biology.	View PDF