Prom season is here and with it Westchester County's annual effort to prevent prom-night tragedies caused by underage drinking.   

The most visible component of the effort is the check by county and local police of prom-bound limousines to make sure that party-goers have not illegally brought alcohol.

But even before these so-called "party patrols" begin, the county, through its Office of Drug Prevention and Stop-DWI Office, has focused on educating parents, high schools, caterers and limousine companies of the law and the county's zero-tolerance policy on underage drinking. The effort is financed in part by fines generated from DWI convictions. The office gives a portion of the funds to the county and local police departments for the prom-night effort.

"Education and enforcement go hand in hand," said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. "Police will check limousines and confiscate any alcohol on board. But it is parents who have to take responsibility -- not to look the other way. Underage drinking is illegal and is not a rite of passage. Everyone must play a part to keep our kids safe."

"Each year less and less alcohol is being confiscated from young adults heading to their proms," said Public Safety Commissioner George Longworth. "However, we will remain vigilant to ensure that all of Westchester County's high school proms remain alcohol-free."

This year's effort is under the auspices of the Department of Public Safety and two of its divisions: the Stop-DWI office and the Taxi and Limousine Commission.

The Department of Community Mental Health also plays a role, participating in forums in schools around the county for teens and their parents.

"We have learned that our education efforts need to be focused not only on students, but on parents who are sometimes unaware of how kids obtain and use alcohol on prom night and the legal consequences they face if underage drinking occurs in their home or outside with their knowledge," said Commissioner of Mental Health Grant Mitchell.

Other elements of the effort include the following, all of which are funded by federal Drug Free Communities grants:

• A meeting was held with owners of the limousine companies to discuss the progress that has been made with their cooperation and to discuss additional measures which can further reduce pre- and post-prom availability of alcohol.

· High school principals were sent letters with suggestions on how to involve parents in prom preparations. A free brochure is available at www.westchestergov.com/stopdwi.

· Catering halls were sent letters asking them to notify the county of any proms they will host.

· The county will launch an ad campaign with one spot aimed at parents to remind them to be involved with prom planning to make certain that alcohol is not part of after-prom activities and another spot designed to raise the awareness of teens of the possible consequences of alcohol-related crashes and incidents. The ad campaign will run throughout the month of June.

· The Westchester Coalition for Drug and Alcohol Free Youth will launch an ad campaign "NOT MY KID" to remind parents about the dangers of underage drinking after proms.

For additional information on what you could do to help make your school prom a safe and sober prom, contact the office of Drug Prevention and STOP-DWI at (914) 995-4115.