I agree with Jay, it's not about the celebration it's about values and if money is your biggest "value" (no pun intended) then it's time to take a good look in the mirror.
I grew up struggling middle class, a small paycheck away from poor. We had love in my family and every birthday was a special day and others in the family would do special things for the birthday celebrant. My mother would bake a cake and hide a nickle wrapped in wax paper in it and it was fun seeing who got the nickel. On my mother's birthday we gave her the day off and did all the cooking and cleaning and got help from my grandpa to bake her a cake.
Money can't buy that any more than money can make a bad home good.
I fault the schools for allowing such elaborate proms and graduation that limo's and tux's are the requirements to attend. And parents for feeding into them.
Is any of this a reason to pick up drugs? Only if someone wants it to be. Making good choices in life may begin with the decision that drugs will not be part of your life, and then keeping your promise.