Press Release:
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Offers Online Education and Prevention Programs
(ATLANTA) April 7, 2020 – To protect the safety of our staff as well as those who receive our services, MADD Georgia is now providing critical prevention programs and victim services via video conferencing.
In addition to monthly online support groups, MADD will host its Power of Parents Program at 2 p.m. and its Power of You(th) Program at 6 p.m. each Monday via Zoom.
MADD’s Power of Parents program empowers parents and caregivers of middle and high school students to have ongoing, intentional conversations about the dangers and consequences of underage drinking and drug use. Parents are the No. 1 influence on their children’s decisions about alcohol and other drugs, and they truly have the power to make a difference. Power of Parents equips parents with the tools needed to start talking today. This year’s program also includes new, up-to-date research about teens and marijuana use and the common myths around it.
Parents can download a free Power of Parents handbook at www.madd.org/powerofparents.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive drinking is responsible for more than 4,300 deaths among underage youth each year and can lead to early addiction as well as many other dangerous outcomes. Other than alcohol, marijuana is the leading cause of substance dependence in the United States,” said MADD Georgia Executive Director Denise Blake. “With schools closed and many parents working from home, now is an idea time to start having lifesaving conversations about underage alcohol and drug use.”
On Mondays, middle and high school students are invited to see and hear MADD’s Power of You(th) presentations. MADD helps youth explore the real, short- and long-term impacts of underage drinking and drug use, including how it affects brain development and the long-lasting social consequences. MADD also offers tools directly to teens to encourage them to use the power they have to keep themselves and their friends safe. Through this valuable program, youth not only learn why it is important to stay away from alcohol and other drugs, but they also learn real life strategies.
For those impacted by drunk driving, MADD Georgia is also holding monthly online support groups. Follow our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/maddgeorgia for all program updates, call our office at 770-615-3737, or visit us online at www.madd.org/georgia.
About Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Founded in 1980 by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD has helped to save more than 390,000 lives, reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50 percent and promote designating a non-drinking driver. MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® calls for law enforcement support, ignition interlocks for all offenders and advanced vehicle technology. MADD has provided supportive services to nearly one million drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. Visit www.madd.org or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.
