May 1, 2012

 

        CHEMUNG CO. (WENY) --  The start of May means the start of prom season for many high schools.  This year several local businesses are working together to make sure students stay safe and sober.

        Trinity of Chemung County, a non profit drug and alcohol program, is working with seven local businesses to spread the message of no underage drinking.

        According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse, and Alcoholism, an estimated 5,000 people under the age of 21 die each year from injuries caused by underage drinking.  Trinity workers say they're working to stop that trend, but urge parents to start spreading the message of no drinking at home.

      "We're really trying to encourage the idea that underage drinking is not acceptable at any time under any circumstance," says Sarah Halliday, Community Prevention Specialist with Trinity.

       "My message to all the seniors and juniors is remember this: safe and sober prom," says Don Ziegler with Ziegler's Flowers, a participating busienss.  " Do it for your parents, do it for you."

       As part of the Safe and Sober campaign, each participating business will put safety reminder cards in each tuxedo pocket and corsage.

       Five local high schools are also participating in 'Project Graduation', an alternative celebration for grads that doesn't involve alcohol or drugs.

 

The schools are:

Elmira Free Academy

735-3100

 

Horseheads High

739-5601

 

Thomas Edison High

733-5604

 

Southside

735-3200

 

Notre Dame

734-2267