Prom season is upon us and graduation is just around the corner -- two major events in a teen’s life that increase the potential of underage drinking.

In today’s fast-paced society, parents and teens need to have open lines of communication about drinking alcohol and its consequences.

Did you know that alcohol is the most commonly used drug among teenagers? According to the Centers of Disease Control, adolescents aged 12 to 20 drink 11 percent of all alcohol consumed in the United States each year. One of the more severe consequences of alcohol consumption is alcohol poisoning, which can lead to long-term brain damage and even death.

To prevent alcohol poisoning from becoming life threatening, immediate medical attention is necessary. Both parents and students need to learn the signs of alcohol poisoning to know when to seek help.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says that critical symptoms of alcohol poisoning include mental confusion or the inability to stay conscious, vomiting, seizures, slow or irregular breathing and low body temperature.

In my opinion, it is never too early or too late to talk to your kids about alcohol and alcohol poisoning. Many teens believe that giving someone a cold shower or letting them “sleep it off” will reverse the effects of alcohol poisoning.

The truth is, any measures other than seeking medical help can make the symptoms worse. Educating teenagers on these issues is a step in the right direction towards lowering the number of deaths related to underage drinking each year, and may even save the life of someone you know.