Anniversary of 21
By
MADD
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July 17, 2012
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Filed in:
Power of Parents
,
Underage Drinking
Today, on its 28th anniversary, we celebrate the 21 Minimum Legal Drinking Age law, which has saved more than 25,000 lives and continues to prevent tragedies.
You may have heard a variety of arguments against the 21 Minimum Legal Drinking Age: “Lowering the drinking age will encourage more responsible drinking”, “Europeans let their kids drink at an early age, yet they do not have the alcohol-related problems we do”, and “if I’m old enough to go to war, I should be old enough to drink.” But none of these are true. Click here to see the facts behind these myths.
The age limit for alcohol is based on research which shows that young people react differently to alcohol. Teens get drunk twice as fast as adults, but have more trouble knowing when to stop. Teens naturally overdo it and binge more often than adults. Enforcing the legal drinking age of 21 reduces traffic crashes, protects young people’s maturing brains, and keeps young people safer overall. Click here to find out more reasons to support 21.
But it takes more than a law to keep our kids safe. Parents have the power to help kids make healthy decisions. In fact, research shows that parents are the primary influence on their kids’ decisions about whether or not to drink alcohol. That’s why MADD launched the Power of Parents™ program. The goal of the program is to educate parents about the dangers of underage drinking and give them the tools they need to start talking with their kids about alcohol. The program has two major parts:
- A website for parents that includes information and tips based on the best available research, along with access to a free parent handbook.
- Free parent workshops to equip parents with strategies for having these potentially lifesaving conversations.
MADD knows that informed, caring parents can make a difference, and we’re here to help. So today, in honor of the anniversary of the 21 drinking legal drinking age, talk with your kids about the dangers of underage drinking. Start by visit the parent section of our website to get the handbook and other tips and expert resources for talking with your kids about alcohol.
The Deadliest Driving Season for Teens
By
MADD
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May 30, 2012
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Filed in:
Power of Parents
,
Underage Drinking
With annual events like proms and graduation parties, and, of course, the starts of summer vacation, teens are more likely to be on the road this time of year; but parents beware, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day has been labeled "The 100 Deadliest Days" for teen drivers.
According to AAA, an average of 399 teens died in traffic crashes during each of the summer months (May-August), compared to a monthly average of 346 teen deaths during non-summer months. The seven most dangerous days on the road for teens during summer are May 20, May 23, June 10, July 4, July 9, Aug. 8 and Aug. 14.
What can parents do to keep their teens safe?
To keep teens safe during these dangerous months and year round, AAA Insurance suggests the following tips for parents:
- Eliminate trips without purpose.
- Limit passengers. Fatal crash rates for 16- to 19-year-olds increase fivefold when two or more teen passengers are present versus when teens drive alone.
- Restrict night driving. A teen driver’s chances of being involved in a deadly crash doubles at night.
- Establish a parent-teen driving agreement. Written agreements help set and enforce clear rules about night driving, passengers, access to the car, and more.
- Enroll teens in summer driving school.
- Be there. Make sure your teen knows that if they need help, advice or a ride, they can call you at any time. Extend this offer often and let your teen know that you are always available, and that they will not be judged or punished should they need your help.
MADD also suggests:
- Talk about alcohol. Use our Power of Parents® handbook to talk with you teens about not drinking alcohol until they are 21 and never get in the car with someone who has been drinking.
- Buckle up. Insist on seat belts at all times and in all seating positions. Low seat belt use is one of the primary reasons that teen driver and passenger fatality and injury rates remain high.
The Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act (STAND UP act)
In the spring of 2011 the STAND UP act was introduced to the U.S. House and Senate. This legislation would establish minimum federal requirements for state Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) laws and encourage all states to adopt GDL laws that meet those minimum requirements within 3 years. GDL has consistently proven effective in reducing new driver crash risk. MADD supports the STAND UP act and hopes that all states will adopt Graduated Drivers Licensing laws to help keep our teens safe on the road.
New Data Showing that a Quarter of Teen Drinkers Get Alcohol from a Parent or Family Member
By
MADD
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April 17, 2012
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Filed in:
Power of Parents
,
Underage Drinking
Underage drinking is not only a problem for our youth; it’s an adult problem too. More than half of teens who drink are getting their alcohol from adults. According to the most recent SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the following is a ranking of the top five ways teen drinkers get their alcohol:
This Saturday, April 21st, is PowerTalk 21 day, the national day to talk with your kids about alcohol. MADD wants to equip all parents and caregivers with the tools to help them start this potentially lifesaving conversation. In preparation for PowerTalk21, parents can get tips and conversation starters, download the parent handbook and find a free 30-minute parent workshop at www.madd.org/powertalk21.
PowerTalk 21—the National Day for Parents to Talk with their Kids about Alcohol
By
MADD
|
April 13, 2012
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Filed in:
Power of Parents
,
Underage Drinking
PowerTalk 21 day—April 21st—is the national day for parents to talk with their kids about alcohol, and MADD wants to equip all parents and caregivers with the tools to help them start this potentially lifesaving conversation. MADD’s Power of Parents™ handbook, developed by MADD and Pennsylvania State University’s Dr. Robert Turrisi, provides guidance for talking with teens about the dangers of drinking before age 21, and is based on research proven to reduce underage drinking by up to 30 percent. Download a copy of the handbook here, free of charge.
Teen alcohol use kills about 6,000 people each year, more than all other illegal drugs combined. However, research shows that there’s a disconnect when it comes to underage drinking: one out of five teens binge drinks, but only one in 100 parents thinks their child binge drinks.
The good news is that you can make a difference! Parents have the power to help teens make healthy decisions that can keep them safe. In fact, research shows that parents are the primary influence on their kids’ decisions about whether or not to drink alcohol.
Not a parent? Help MADD and its national program partners prepare parents to talk with their teens about alcohol on PowerTalk 21 day and beyond. Visit www.madd.org/powertalk21 to get a free toolkit to promote PowerTalk 21 day, request a free parent handbook, host or find local 30-minute parent workshops and much more.
Start talking on April 21st, and together, we can help prevent underage drinking and save lives!
