PowerTalk 21 ... talk to your kids

Tweet



Teen Drinking Video from CBS News

Last week, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved Senate Resolution 157 declaring April 21st Power Talk 21 day, the national day for parents to start talking with their kids about alcohol. Research has shown that parents are the number one influence in their child’s decisions about alcohol. So, in an effort to curb underage drinking among America’s youth, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) created the Power of Parents, It’s Your Influence™ program to help parents have the sometimes difficult, but potentially life-saving, conversation about alcohol with their kids on April 21st and throughout the year.
“Senator Klobuchar and Senator Vitter are to be commended for their leadership in preventing underage drinking. MADD hopes that PowerTalk 21 day will inspire parents to talk with their teens about healthy lifestyles and smart choices — particularly in advance of prom and graduation season — and will ultimately save lives,” said MADD National President Laura Dean-Mooney.

DID YOU KNOW?
•By the time they graduate from high school, half of all teenagers report drinking alcohol regularly. One-third report binge drinking.

•The greatest increase in alcohol usage occurs between grades 6 and 10.

•Fifty-five percent of middle and high school students say it is against their values to drink alcohol while they are teenagers.

•Teen alcohol use kills about 6,000 people each year, more than all illegal drugs combined.

•Still, one in three eighth graders drinks alcohol and one in five teens binge drinks.

Developed with Pennsylvania State University’s Dr. Robert Turrisi, MADD’s Power of Parents handbook is based on more than two decades of underage drinking research, and has been shown to significantly reduce underage drinking behaviors, even in households with below average communication.

With prom and graduation just around the corner, the subject of alcohol is a timely one no parent can overlook. Research shows that parents are the No. 1 influence in their child’s decisions about drinking, but like the birds and the bees, alcohol is a topic few children look forward to discussing with mom and dad.

However, "the talk" is a necessary evil.
For conversation starters, tips and to get the free Power of Parents handbook, visit www.madd.org/powertalk21.

About Mothers Against Drunk DrivingFounded by a mother who lost her daughter in a crash, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking. With the help of those who want a safer future, MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® will end this danger on America’s roads. PowerTalk 21™ is the national day for parents to talk with their kids about alcohol, using the proven strategies of Power of Parents, It’s Your Influence™ to reduce the risk of underage drinking. And as one of the largest victim services organizations in the U.S., MADD also supports drunk driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving one person every 10 minutes at 1-877-MADD-HELP. Learn more at http://www.madd.org/ or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.


Get Involved

PowerTalk 21 isn’t just for parents. Anyone concerned about the dangers of underage drinking can get involved.

Parents
Request. Sign up to receive a FREE copy of MADD’s parent handbook for research-based guidance on starting the on-going conversation about alcohol with teens.

Download. Once you have signed up for the handbook, you can also access some quick conversation starters.

Plan. Get a game plan for starting the conversation. Choose a calm and relaxed time and location without distractions where you will have each others’ undivided attention. The parent handbook offers tips on avoiding potholes and talking so teens will listen. Click here to find a free 30-minute parent workshop in your area.

Donate. Help MADD continue to provide free parent handbooks and workshops to encourage safer communities.

Youth
Download. MADD recommends that you do not wait until your parents start the conversation with you to talk with them about alcohol. Download conversation starters to guide you in communicating with your parents.

Talk. By communicating with your parents about alcohol, you open the door to building trust, to understanding the risks associated with decisions you face about drinking alcohol, and to establishing a strong support system to help you face the peer pressures that may come your way.

Community
To take action around PowerTalk 21 day in April, help MADD equip parents and adults in your community with the parent handbook to start talking with teens about alcohol by:

•Contacting your local MADD office to invite a facilitator to your location for a parent workshop

•Planning a PowerTalk 21 event, such as a Parent Workshop, before Prom or Graduation

•Becoming trained to facilitate parent workshops

•Organizing a WALK Like MADD® event to engage students and adults to support the mission

•Donating to help MADD provide free parent handbooks