Prom/Graduation Safety

 As we head into one of the most exciting times of the year-Prom and Graduation season-I want to take a moment to speak directly to our students, families, and community. These are milestones worth celebrating. They represent hard work, growth, and the beginning of new chapters. But with celebration also comes responsibility, and the choices made in a single night can have lasting consequences. I want to connect that message to an important Arkansas law: the Joshua Ashley-Pauley Act. This law was created to save lives by encouraging people to call for help during a drug overdose without fear of certain legal consequences. If someone seeks emergency medical assistance in good faith, they may receive limited immunity from charges related to drug possession. The goal is simple-don't hesitate when a life is on the line. But let me be just as clear about something else: the safest choice is to avoid putting yourself in that situation in the first place. Prom and graduation celebrations often come with peer pressure. You may be around alcohol or other substances. My advice is straightforward-make the decision ahead of time to stay in control. Do not drink and drive. Do not get into a vehicle with someone who has been drinking. Plan for a safe ride home, whether that's a parent, a trusted adult, or a designated driver. The Joshua Ashley-Pauley Act is there as a safety net, not a free pass. If someone around you makes a dangerous choice and needs medical help, call 911 immediately and stay with them. That call could save a life. But the goal is to never need that law in the first place. To our students: you've worked too hard to let one poor decision change your future. To our parents: have the conversations now-set expectations, make plans, and stay involved. To our community: let's continue to look out for one another. At the end of the night, what matters most is that everyone makes it home safely. Celebrate the right way. Take care of your friends. And remember-a good decision today protects your tomorrow.

Sheriff Shane Russell