Post by Dan Cummings - I hope you've paid a visit to the "Safe and Sober" section on our homepage (click here to visit the page).  This week, I had the opportunity to report on the annual, community-wide effort by DeWitt Police, the Jamesville-DeWitt School District, and businesses in the town...to fight underage drinking during prom and graduation season.
 
I took away some very encouraging signs from my meeting this week with law enforcement, moms of JD seniors, store and hotel managers.  First, the moms say parents are talking to each other about "party plans."   If they hear talk about the Friday or Saturday night party at this house, or that house...phone calls are made among parents, to check it out...to make sure a mom or dad will be on hand, at the very least.   I also heard how hotels and motels are taking extra steps to discourage, or outright refuse to accept reservations for rooms that are likely to be used for underage drinking parties.  And, I also heard how those "compliance checks" are meeting with almost 100% success in DeWitt.  That's where underage undercovers are sent in by police to attempt to purchase alcohol.  Almost without exception, the latest such "sting" operation found no violators, almost full compliance (one store out of 30 was referred to state authorities for illegal sale...not bad).  The next round of compliance checks begins in a few days, and will run for several weeks.
 
And, it sounds like those "after" parties, sponsored by the school district itself, are more "cool" than ever.  At least in J-D, where they've been holding such safe and sober parties since the '80's.  This year, more than 200 members of the senior class of 255 are expected to attend the "after the ball" party, the first weekend in June.
 
If you know of any new, or unique ways that your school or community is approaching the underage drinking issue, please let us know.  And, here's hoping for a safe and sober spring full of celebration, especially for graduating seniors and their friends.