October 21-27 is Red Ribbon Week. Every October, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) presents awareness programs to youth around the country to encourage teens to live a drug-free life and resist underage drinking.
MADD estimates that more than 27,000 lives have been saved in the U.S. since the Minimum Legal Drinking Age was raised to 21 in 1975. Still, here are some sobering MADD statistics:
An estimated 5.8 percent of 16 or 17 year olds and 15.1 percent of 18 to 20 year olds reported driving under the influence of alcohol in the past year.
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, and about one-third of those are alcohol related.
Teen alcohol use kills about 6,000 people each year, more than all illegal drugs combined.
Kids who start drinking young are seven times more likely to be in an alcohol-related crash.
One in five teens binge drink. Only 1 in 100 parents believes his or her teen binge drinks.
High school students who use alcohol or other substances are five times more likely to drop out of school or believe good grades are not important.
MADD will be unveiling its Power of You(th) booklet during this year’s Red Ribbon Week. MADD is hoping the booklet will help teens understand that the dangers of underage drinking are not worth the risks. The booklet is free and is for teens, parents and educators.
You can request the booklet directly from MADD (it will be emailed to your inbox) by going to: Power of You(th).
Recent Comments