Every year in the United States and in Pennsylvania high school students celebrate prom and graduation. Though many of the celebrations are an acknowledgement of or a first step towards adulthood, the celebration can quickly turn dangerous and deadly when alcohol is thrown into the mix.

The peak months for high school proms and graduations are also the months when there is an increase in the number of car accidents caused by drinking and driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration those months are April, May and June. In addition, the leading cause of teenage death is car accidents and nearly 40 percent of teenage car accidents involve drinking and driving. Despite the statistics some people believe that underage drinking during seminal high school events is a rite of passage even if it is supervised by adults. The effects of alcohol use among teenagers suggests otherwise.

According to the National Institutes of Health, teenagers who consume heavy amounts of alcohol can detrimentally affect the development of their brain. The part of the brain that controls risk behavior is not fully developed until age 25 and heavy alcohol consumption at a young age can have long-term effects. In addition, the younger teenagers start to drink the more likely they may form a dependency. Teenagers who start drinking at 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than individuals who begin drinking at age 21.

Researchers say that open and regular communication between parents and teenagers has a positive influence on teen decision-making. When teenagers have expectations they are less likely to engage in drinking and other dangerous behavior. Help teenagers continue their celebrations of accomplishment beyond graduation.

Source: CourierPress.com, "Prom, graduation season accelerates dangers of underage drinking, drugs," Nichole White, 4/4/11