Just Ahead of Prom and Graduation Season, MADD and Chrysler Group Launch 21-City Campaign to Educate Teens on Underage Drinking Prevention

Tour Stops in Troy and Ferndale Schools Monday, April 18

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 14 -- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Chrysler Group will visit Troy High School and Ferndale High School on Monday, April 18 at 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively, to raise awareness among teens of the perils of underage drinking and promote teen driving safety just in time for prom and graduation season.

More than 700 Troy High and Troy Athens underclassmen and members of Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) are expected to participate in the pep rally at Troy High School. Later that morning at Ferndale High School, more than 100 9th-12th graders will participate in the event.

   Troy High School                    Ferndale High School
   4777 Northfield Pkwy, Troy          881 Pinecrest, Ferndale
   248-823-2730                        248-548-8600
   Monday, April 18, 8:45 a.m.         Monday, April 18, 11 a.m.

At both schools Wendy Hamilton, national president of MADD, will join Chrysler Group to share her personal experiences and help communicate to students positive health and safety messages at a time when the pressures and celebrations of prom and graduation season are at an all time high.

Deb Morrissett, Chrysler Group Vice President -- Safety and Regulatory Affairs, will address the students at the Troy High School event. Luis Morais, Senior Manager -- Safety Planning and Programs will address the students at the Ferndale High School event.

After taking the 21 Pledge to not drink and drive, the students will sign one of the 21 minivans currently touring high schools in 21 cities nationwide to educate teens on making smart and healthy decisions not only during the upcoming celebrations for prom and graduation, but every time.

Metro Detroit is stop six of 21 that MADD and Chrysler Group are making as part of the "21 Turns 21: Lifesaving Milestones" program. With more than half of all fatal car crashes on typical prom weekends involving alcohol (National Highway Traffic Safety Association 2005), this program is timed to ensure a safe, memorable prom and graduation season for the students of Troy and Ferndale high schools.

"Promoting safe-driving habits on the road is a top priority for MADD and Chrysler Group," said Morrissett. "That's why the Company donated 21 Chrysler and Dodge minivans to MADD -- to help prevent teen deaths, which are prone to rise during the summer months, and to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the National 21 Minimum Drinking Age Act. Working together with MADD we want to encourage teens to be smart, safe and remain sober -- not just during prom and graduation -- but at all times."

"We appreciate MADD and Chrysler Group's work to highlight the extremely important issue of underage drinking," said Dr. Janet Jopke, superintendent of Troy School District. "The entire Troy community is committed to working with our youth on substance abuse issues, and we look forward to celebrating the success of these efforts through this unique program."

The tour is in celebration of the 21st anniversary of the lifesaving 21 Minimum Drinking Age Act as well as the 21st birthday of the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans. In honor of these milestones, Chrysler Group donated 21 Chrysler and Dodge minivans to MADD to help expand its lifesaving education programs for youth.

Additional information and news about the "21 Turns 21: Lifesaving Milestones" tour can be found at http://www.madd.org/21 and http://chryslergroup.daimlerchrysler.com/ .