Spring prom season is here and the Burlington County Commissioners want to help keep it safe for all participating teens.
To help encourage prom-goers to have a safe, substance-free prom, the commissioners are once again partnering with the Burlington County Sheriff’s Office, the county Department of Human Services and Municipal Alliance Program and the nonprofit Prevention Plus of Burlington County to distribute 2,000 prom cards to area florists for placement in all prom corsage and boutonniere boxes.
The cards are printed with the following message: “You’ve planned the night, You’ve picked what to wear. As you celebrate, know we truly care! Make Memories, Not Regrets! Have a Safe and Sober Prom and Graduation! CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2025!” Two thousand of the cards were printed this year.
Underage drinking is linked to about 4,300 deaths each year and can also lead to early addiction, according to the CDC. Motor-vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teens and almost a third of the fatalities among teen drivers involved underage drinking.
“There is no safe amount of alcohol or safe environment for teens to underage drink,” said county Sheriff James Kostoplis. “Substance-free proms and graduation celebrations are the only safe and responsible choice, and we want to remind teens and their parents of that.”
