As a parent, you want your kids to be safe. The truth is, one out of five teens binge drink, but only one in one hundred parents thinks their teen binge drinks. Parents often concern themselves with teaching their teens to not drink and drive rather than talking with them about the dangers of drinking underage. What parents may not know is that research shows the earlier kids start to drink, the greater the likelihood they will become alcohol dependent, drive drunk, and experience other negative consequences that are parents’ worst nightmares. Research also shows us that you’re the leading influence on kids’ decisions of whether or not to drink alcohol.

MADD is empowering parents to use your influence to talk with your teens about alcohol through the Power of Parents® program and the parent handbook to equip you with the research-based information to have these potentially life-saving conversations. Use your influence not only in your home with your teens, but to provide this valuable resource for other parents in your community, at your child’s school, at your church or synagogue, etc.

Further, help your teen(s) take a stand against underage drinking. Check out our booklet for teens and become a Red Ribbon Week volunteer in your teen’s school to rally other teens around this important issue.