[Prevention] FW: Prom Resources from 21 Reasons

[Joanna Morrissey]

We are very pleased to share with you the following resources which we
have posted on our web site: www.21reasons.org for prom and graduation
season:

*	"Wow, Times Have Changed!" Press Release
*	Graph showing Maine's declining teen drinking rates, 1995-2008
*	Resources for Parents
*	Corsage, Boutonniere, and Tuxedo Stuffer Cards
*	Letter to Limousine Companies
*	Letter to Hotels
*	Link to YouTube video by former Attorney General Steve Rowe,
produced by PROP's Communities Promoting Health Coalition and Smith
Atwood video services. 

The theme for this year's prom initiative is, "Wow, Times Have Changed!"
campaign to highlight and celebrate OSA's recent report that most youth
today don't drink. In addition, a recent parent phone survey taken in
Portland points to the fact most parents are taking concrete steps in
order to prevent their children from drinking. 

 

The press release we sent yesterday reads:

 

 

For Immediate Release
FMI:

May 5, 2009
Jo Morrissey, 773-7737

 


Wow, Times Have Changed!

Underage Drinking is Becoming a Thing of the Past

 


Cumberland County, ME-"Wow, Times Have Changed!" is the theme of this
year's prom campaign distributed by local florists, tuxedo rentals,
hotels, motels, and limousine companies, together with their local law
enforcement agencies and sponsoring prevention organizations.  This
campaign highlights a recent report from the Maine Office of Substance
Abuse, which states that most of today's youth do not drink.  In
addition, a recent parent phone survey by 21 Reasons in Portland found
that more parents are taking concrete steps to keep their children from
drinking.  

 

As part of the campaign, florists and tuxedo rental shops were asked by
their local law enforcement agency to distribute the "Wow, Times Have
Changed!" card with each corsage, boutonniere, and tux rental during
prom season. Participating florists and tux shops are listed below by
city/town. A copy of the card is attached. 

 

The "Wow, Times have Changed!" effort also includes notifying every
limousine and hotel/motel operation in Cumberland County of the dates of
all proms and graduations and asking these businesses keep an extra
watchful eye during those dates for underage drinking parties.  Law
enforcement agencies are also making personal appeals to local area
businesses to post positive prevention messages on their marquee boards
during prom and graduation season. 

 

"We had a lot of good news this year, and we wanted to share it in a
positive way," states Jo Morrissey, Assistant Project Director for 21
Reasons.  "Community-wide efforts are truly paying off in reducing youth
drinking.   Increased parental monitoring, law enforcement compliance
checks and party patrols, and greater community disapproval of underage
drinking are all making a difference." 

 

The results show it.  Times have changed.   Statewide and in Cumberland
County, teen drinking rates have followed a downward trend in the past
few years.  

 

In Portland, for example, the percentage of youth who report recent
alcohol use (at least once within the past 30 days) has dropped
significantly--from 37% in 2000 and 36% in 2004, to 29% in 2008 (Maine
Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey).  And according to a phone survey
conducted by 21 Reasons, more Portland parents are concerned about
underage drinking and taking concrete steps to prevent it-including
talking with their teens about alcohol, asking if alcohol will be at
parties, and calling party hosts to make sure alcohol will not be
provided.   

 

More healthy party tips  can be found on the 21 Reasons website:
www.21reasons.org. 

 

In addition, former Attorney General Steve Rowe has specific prom and
graduation tips on YouTube, keyword: promsmart. To see the clip, click
here:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BODm5Yk2Vw . This video was
produced by the Communities Promoting Health Coalition and Smith Atwood
video services.

 

Florists and tux shops participating in the "Wow, Times Have Changed!"
campaign to prevent underage drinking:

 




Falmouth

Falmouth Flowers

Gorham

	
Portland

Harmon & Bartons

Minott's Flowers

Vose-Smith

Dodge the Florist

DS Lillet

Rosemont

Whole Foods

Antoine's

Tanorama

Scarborough

Oak Hill Florist-Flower Shop

Jordan's floral & Gifts, Inc.

Maine Floral Creations

Red Brick Tailor Shop 

Dancing Damsel 

South Portland

Shaw's

Fleur de Lis

Hearts and Flowers

Classic Tux

Men's Warehouse

Tux for Less

S&K Men's Store

MW Tux

Westbrook

Harmon's and Barton's

Windham

Tanorama

Yarmouth

Village Florist

 

Campaign co-sponsoring organizations:

*         21 Reasons Coalition (a project of Medical Care Development)

*         Cumberland County Underage Drinking Enforcement Task Force

*         PROP Communities Promoting Health Coalition

 

Attachments: 

"Wow, Times Have Changed" card

Past 30-Day drinking Trends, 1995-2008

 

FMI on these events or on the work of 21 Reasons, visit:
http://www.21reasons.org  or call Jo Morrissey at 773-7737.

 

###

 

 

Jo Morrissey

Assistant Project Director

21 Reasons

Medical Care Development, Inc.

175 Lancaster Street, Suite 220A

Portland, ME 04101

207-773-7737

jmorrissey at mcd.org

21 Reasons is a coalition of individuals, organizations, and businesses
with a common goal: to build a healthy community environment with
policies, practices, and attitudes that support the drug-free
development of all youth. Please join us! For more information, visit
www.21reasons.org <http://www.21reasons.org> .