Multimedia News Release - MADD Creates Spot for Teens to Learn About Dangers of Underage Drinking
Dynamic School Assembly Show Encourages Teens to Take a Stand
DALLAS, Feb. 9 -- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) aims to prevent underage drinking with its newest school assembly show, The Spot. The show helps raise awareness about America's No. 1 youth drug problem as well as unsafe teen driving, the No. 1 killer of teens. By speaking to teens in their own language, The Spot encourages teens to take a hard look at the people they hang out with and to surround themselves with positive influences, not harmful substances. The multimedia show was developed by MADD and is supported by National Presenting Sponsor DaimlerChrysler and its Road Ready Teens program.
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"In light of a recent study that seems to indicate a direct correlation between alcohol advertising and increased teen drinking and another study showing the numbers of people, other than teen drivers, being killed in crashes involving teens, it's more important than ever before to make sure there is a dialogue with teens about issues that could impact their futures," said Glynn Birch, national president, MADD. "Whether teens spend time at a bowling alley, a friend's house, a coffee shop, or online text messaging, The Spot shows teens that it is up to them to make sure their 'spot' is filled with positive influences and not with harmful substances."
The Spot utilizes the latest DVD technology, three giant screens spanning 45 feet and features interviews with celebrities such as Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl MVP Larry Brown, NASCAR driver Reed Sorenson and music by Teen Choice Awards Rock Band of the Year, Simple Plan. The high-energy, 38-minute show catches students' attention with poignant stories of real young people, current music hits, music videos and clips from major motion pictures.
Vice President - Regulatory Affairs, Chrysler Group, Deb Morrissett, said, "The Spot shows teens the very real impact that a crash can have on the lives of the victims, as well as their family and friends. Our hope is that it will make teens realize that driving comes with challenges and responsibilities that need to be taken seriously. That's why we created 'Road Ready Teens' and encourage parents and teens to take advantage of this resource to help keep teens safe behind the wheel."
The Spot also covers the risks and responsibilities facing new teen drivers since traffic crashes are the No. 1 killer of teens, and more than one-third of teen driving deaths are alcohol-related. DaimlerChrysler and its Road Ready Teens program supports The Spot in an effort to reduce teen traffic crashes through education that helps teens gain awareness of the risks and responsibilities they face as new, inexperienced drivers.
The Spot and Backstage Pass, MADD's Telly Award-winning secondary school show, are both now playing in high schools and middle schools across the country. Also available are new DVD Class Packs that provide the tools for school leaders to take the show's messages into the classroom. The packs, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, include a facilitator's guide, DVDs, student handouts and posters to promote the exciting new resource on campus. To check show availability in your area and/or to order DVD Class Packs, call 800-438-6233 ext 4504 or email assembly@madd.org .
Facts:
* Alcohol is the number #1 drug problem among people under 21. (SAMHSA,
2004)
* Teen drivers with three or more passengers are almost three times as
likely to be involved in a fatal crash than teen drivers without
passengers. (Chen et al, 2000)
* Each year, more than 2,200 teens ages 15 to 20 years old die in
alcohol-related traffic crashes. (NHTSA, 2004)
* Traffic crashes are the number one killer of teens and over one-third
of teen traffic deaths are alcohol-related. (NHTSA, 2005)
* In 2004, there were 7,709 16-20 year old drivers involved in fatal
crashes; 22 percent of them (or about 1700) had alcohol in their
systems. (NHTSA, 2006)
* Studies show that alcohol advertising may predispose young people to
drink. (Casswell and Zhang 1998; Grube and Wallack 1994; Wyllie et al.
1998; Saffer and Dave, 2003)
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has helped save more than 300,000 lives since its founding in 1980. MADD's mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. For more information, visit http://www.madd.org/ or http://www.schoolassembly.org/ .
DaimlerChrysler's Road Ready Teens (http://www.roadreadyteens.org/ ) is a research-driven, home-based program for parents and teens. The program includes Get Road Ready: A Parent's Guide to Safely Ease Teens into Driving, and an online driving video game, Road Ready StreetWise, that increases teens' awareness and understanding of driving risks.
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