Spring is a happy and exciting time of year with graduation and other end-of-the-school-year celebrations. With these events filling our May and June calendars, the Cambridge Police Department asks for the help from area residents to observe and celebrate safe, memorable experiences.

During this graduation season it seems fitting to convey to the community some safe celebration tips for parents and young adults.

Tips for Parents

• If you ARE HOSTING:

o Know the PARENT’S risk: Lawsuits, possible felony and gross misdemeanor -- up to one year in jail and a $3,000 fine -- to serve alcohol to underage drinkers.

o Allow access to alcohol only to those of age.

o Provide legal-age supervisors, including a greeter at the door to allow invited guests only.

o If a guest is in violation at your party, notify other parents immediately to come pick up their young adult. Notify police if you cannot reach the parent.

• If you are NOT HOSTING:

o Have a back-up plan with your teen if they need to avoid a bad situation.

o Stay up until your teen returns home.

o Call the host parents of the party and don’t be afraid to nail down these facts:

• Is there a sleepover involved?

• Will there be alcohol?

• Will the party attendance number be manageable? Do you know how many will be there?

• Who will supervise? Is the supervisor older than 21? How many supervisors?

• Which supervisor(s) will be visible, as well as reachable by phone?

• Other Parent Considerations:

o You are the number one influence in your child’s life. Set clear rules against drinking and consistently enforce those rules.

o Provide safe alternatives. Plan chaperoned, alcohol-free parties for your teen and their friends.

o Do not rent hotel rooms for your teen.

o Know who is driving. If it is a limo, check the company’s policy on allowing alcohol in the vehicle.

o Insist on seatbelt use.

Tips for Young Adults

• ZERO alcohol is the safe and legal choice. Alcohol does not have to become a rite of passage to adulthood. One incident can affect your plans for school or work, and moving out on your own.

• Know the risks of being at a place where alcohol or unlawful conduct are present, even if you are not partaking.

• Know the risks of drinking:

o School expulsion and school activity suspension;

o Underage drinking and driving is a misdemeanor and automatically results in driver’s license revocation;

o Car crashes, fatal injuries, sudden death by excessive use;

o Violence, crime;

o Poor performance the next day; and

o Sexual assault or unsafe sex.

• Just one drink can impair driving and decision-making: 12 oz. beer = 1.5 oz. whiskey = 5 oz. wine

• Avoid becoming one of these statistics:

1. A 2006 Minnesota report of 4,688 alcohol-related crashes resulted in 166 deaths and 3,500 injuries. A record-high number of motorists (41,951) were arrested for impaired driving in 2006, translating to 115 DWI arrests a day. The report, Minnesota Motor Vehicle Impaired Driving Facts 2006, is compiled annually by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).

2. About two-thirds of Minnesota seniors in 2007 reported alcohol consumption during their senior year, according to the Minnesota Student Survey: 1992 – 2007 Trends. The survey is conducted annually by a collaboration of the Minnesota Department of Education, Dept. of Health, Dept. of Human Services and Dept. of Public Safety.

• Remember that substances such as marijuana and other illegal drugs should not be present in any social situation.