Back to News and Events Menu

NEWS RELEASE

March 10, 2010

Media Contacts:

County Executive Ulman Announces Good News for Howard County Prom Attendees

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Ken Ulman was joined by Police Chief William McMahon and Howard County Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Council Member Lin Guba today at Reservoir High School where he announced the County will award all 12 high school’s Parent Teacher Student Associations (PTSA) grants of $2,000 from the Drug Asset Forfeiture fund. The money from this fund will be used to pay for facility rental, food and refreshments, and/or entertainment at each school’s “Project Safe and After Prom” party this spring.

Since the mid-90’s, various high schools throughout Howard County have been hosting after prom parties. It wasn’t until the early 2000s, that the PTA Council of Howard County formalized these efforts with the Project Safe and After Prom committee. Since this time, after prom parties have experienced a surge in popularity and thus an increase in cost. Although high school PTSAs spend most of the year raising money for the party, paying for these events has become a growing challenge. As a result, the County was approached by a number of parents this past year seeking financial assistance to host this spring’s after prom events. Upon listening to their concerns and after careful consideration, the County realized the Drug Asset Forfeiture Fund would be a good fit.

“This announcement is about prioritizing two of our most fundamental resources: public safety and education,” said County Executive Ulman. “Project Safe and After Prom allows our PTSAs to utilize education and prevention to show today’s youth how to have fun and be responsible at the same time by eliminating the dangers of drugs and alcohol.”

“These after prom events are key to keeping our teens safe during the prom season when statistics show traffic deaths among teens are higher than any other time of year,” said Police Chief McMahon. “This grant will allow us to better protect our kids on a night when we know students are out and may be tempted by the dangers of drugs and alcohol.”

The “Project Safe and After Prom” program focuses on promoting healthy and safe teen behaviors through resources and activities. In addition, the program advocates for and assists the efforts of high school PTAs in coordinating alcohol-free and drug-free after prom events. Such events provide a safe alternative to the private after prom parties where peer pressure often encourages underage drinking, drugs, and unhealthy and dangerous teen behaviors. Since the program’s formalization, after prom events have become a staple to the prom night experience. In 2009, 64% of Howard County high school students attended these after prom parties, an increase of 24% from 2005 when around 40% of students attended an after prom program event.

As part of the Howard County Police Department’s drug enforcement activities, the Department has the ability to confiscate property and assets used in violation of State controlled substances laws. The County can then either retain the cash or sell a tangible item and retain the proceeds from that sale. These monies are then directed to a County controlled Drug Asset Forfeiture fund.