A wonderful and scary time is fast approaching- Graduation! Every year families are torn apart by the loss of a child. The drinking and driving issue that occurs so frequently seems to be highlighted when contrasted with the loss of a young person who should have a bright future in front of them.

Our kids, believing themselves to be immortal, find that when a friend is lost in a fatal accident, it is too late to admit they were wrong. The damage is done, the young life is lost, and the future is forever changed for many families. Don't let this happen to your teen.

Take control of as much of the situation as is possible surrounding graduation and its activities. Parties should be planned around families and friends at your home where under-aged drinking will not be allowed. If your kids are over 18, which many graduates are, this issue is more difficult. Then we must rely upon those family values we instilled in our kids. We must hope that they share our ideas about drinking and driving.

As a host or hostess you must not allow drinking by underage kids, but unfortunately it still happens sometimes without your consent. Next issue is to keep those kids from driving. Being proper, fair, or well liked is not important here. All that matters is keeping those alcohol-influenced drivers off the road and keeping our children from becoming victims and statistics. Do whatever it takes to protect our kids.

A congratulation to all of you with graduates this year.

Credits: Jo Ann Wentzel