It is high school prom season, when lasting memories of wonderful evenings are made for many area young people.

More than at any time during the year, prom nights raise the terrible possibility some parents will have nothing but memories of sons and daughters killed by alcohol-fueled mistakes in motor vehicles.

And too often, adults are the source of that alcohol.

Some high school students view prom night as a time when the normal rules of behavior — and prudence — can be discarded. That means more teenagers abusing alcohol. It means more impaired drivers on the road.

That is something any intelligent adult ought to fear and do everything in his or her power to prevent.

Some adults think it is all right to furnish booze to kids. Some host parties including beer, wine and liquor, hoping they will have some control over consumption and driving.

That is wishful thinking, as anyone who has ever tried to control a houseful of teenagers understands.

No adult should ever furnish alcohol to a minor. Period. It is asking for trouble. Sometimes, it is inviting a preventable tragedy. In New Ulm, it is against the law to host a party where kids will be drinking.

Just don’t do it, we beg you. And if you know of someone else who is doing it, call the police. Let’s do all in our power to ensure the kids’ memories of prom night are good.